Shop Talk

Check Out eBay’s steps toward becoming more environmentally friendly.

The online auctioneer announced its first greenhouse gas emissions reduction target on Monday, saying it has committed to a 15-percent cut to its corporate emissions by 2012, over a 2008 baseline.

EBay said it will achieve that target through continuing investments in renewable energy and promoting “sustainable” habits tied to the travel and personal energy use of its 15,000-strong workforce.

EBay said that as an online company, a majority of its carbon footprint comes from the energy used at its data centers.  So, tackling data management and infrastructure will be key to becoming more efficient.  To that end, the company will unveil a “green” data center in 2010.  EBay also said it will announce a fuel cell strategy in early 2010.

Among the initiatives taken by its employees — a community garden project, participating in “National Cycle to Work” week and electronics recycling, with over 8,200 pounds of personal electronic equipment.

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(Photo: Reuters)