Dollar Tree

In July 2021, Dollar Tree released a written, publicly available pollinator health policy. The policy encourages suppliers to transition away from nitroguanidine neonicotinoids, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos toward least-toxic approaches, including integrated pest management (IPM). The policy includes a clear definition of IPM, stating that “IPM refers to a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls which aim to reduce chemicals and damage to animals, humans and the environment by setting action thresholds, monitoring and identifying pests, and implementing low risk prevention methods and responsible pest control strategies. Examples of IPM strategies include avoiding pesticide use when crops are blooming, applying pesticides to blooming crops only after bees are done foraging for the day (preferably at night), minimizing use of chemical pesticides through pest monitoring, and avoiding compounds that persist in the environment and pollinators.” The policy states that suppliers should avoid regrettable substitutes, or the replacement of one hazardous pesticide with another, and includes a link to a list of regrettable substitutes. Dollar Tree’s policy also states that the company plans to educate suppliers on pollinator health, the harmful impacts of key pesticides, and sustainable agriculture strategies.

Dollar Tree’s policy does not include any timebound or measurable commitments to phase out pesticides of concern or expand the adoption of least-toxic practices in its food or beverage supply chains. The policy also does not include a commitment to expand organic offerings.

Commitment to reduce pesticide use

7 out of 15 points

Avoiding regrettable substitutes

5 out of 5 points

Commitment to least-toxic approaches in non-organic supply chains

3 out of 10 points

Commitment to organic

0 out of 15 points

Dollar Tree has not taken any discernible action to reduce use of pesticides of concern to pollinator and human health or expand organic farming and other least-toxic approaches in its supply chains. The actions we evaluated include: 1) tracking use of pesticides in company supply chains, 2) measurably reducing pesticide use in the past three years and publicly reporting on data, 3) supporting farmers in non-organic supply chains to shift to least-toxic approaches such as integrated pest management and regenerative agriculture, 4) measurably expanding organic offerings in the past three years, 5) demonstrating support for U.S. growers to transition to organic farming, and 6) demonstrating advocacy for public policies aimed at reducing agricultural pesticide use, protecting pollinators and supporting the expansion of organic agriculture in the U.S.

Track pesticide use in supply chain

0 out of 10 points

Measurably reduce pesticide use

0 out of 15 points

Prioritize least-toxic approaches in non-organic supply chains

0 out of 20 points

Prioritize USDA certified organic

0 out of 25 points

Support domestic organic growers

0 out of 15 points

Support public policies

0 out of 5 points

Dollar Tree’s pollinator policy is publicly available. Dollar Tree educates consumers about the value of decreasing use of toxic pesticides to protect pollinators through its website.

Dollar Tree does not appear to include reduction of pesticides of concern to pollinators and human health or expansion of organic offerings in company Key Performance Indicators or other formal sustainability criteria. Dollar Tree does not have educational content online about organic farming, such as a full definition of the USDA certified organic label (prohibition of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, GMOs, antibiotics, and growth hormones, and promotion of farming methods that protect soil, water and biodiversity).

Make policies and commitments publicly available

4 out of 6 points

Oversight

5 out of 5 points

Educate consumers

0 out of 10 points

Dollar Tree has communicated with Friends of the Earth in the past year and has briefed Friends of the Earth on meaningful action the company has taken on pesticides and pollinator protection in the past three years.

Dollar Tree’s pollinator health policy requires the elimination of nitroguanidine neonicotinoids and glyphosate in its flower supply chain by 2024. The policy also states that Dollar Tree will track and annually assess pesticide use and associated environmental risks in live flowers beginning in 2022.

Dollar Tree no longer sells neonicotinoid or glyphosate products for outdoor uses.

Policy for live goods

4 out of 4 points

Policy for on-shelf pesticide products

5 out of 5 points