Environmental activists have nailed Home Depot for years because of its sales of “old growth” wood products. But on August 30, a group of activists literally “locked on” to the issue at the Rohnert Park Home Depot store. A group of 40 people demonstrated outside of the Home Depot, while 4 protesters went inside the store and locked themselves to some shelving, protesting Homer’s sale of old growth wood products. In October of 1997, 100 environmental groups in 30 states protested Home Depot’s policy on old growth lumber. Protests at that time reportedly took place in front of HD stores in 30 states. The groups claimed that Home Depot agreed to stop selling redwood old growth, but still sold similar woods from British Columbia, and tropical woods like teak, lauan and ramin. Paid ads by the Rainforest Action Network claimed that “Home Depot is the largest retailer still selling old growth wood in the world.” In Rohnert Park, the demonstrations lasted 3 hours, and the 4 people in the store agreed to unlock themselves and leave in exchange for not being arrested for trespassing. Home Depot’s response to the protests? “We’re shocked,” said store manager Bill Brown. “We’re frustrated. It’s absolutely affecting business.” But Home Depot spokes-associate Amy Friend, was more circumspect in her remarks. Asked by a reporter if Home Depot carried old growth products, Friend said it was “difficult to answer. Different groups define ‘old growth wood’ differently…The term needs defining.”
To make a donation to the “Amy Friend Old Growth Dictionary Fund”, simply send your check or money order to: Amy Friend Old Growth Dictionary, Home Depot, Inc. 2727 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339. Contributions are not tax deductible.
