US household supplies retailer Home Depot has hit its 2020 goal to cut energy use by a fifth three years ahead of schedule.

The firm’s latest sustainability report shows it has cut energy use by 23.5% since 2010 and suggests this has been possible as a result of installing low carbon forms of energy generation in 216 stores and fuel cells in 178 of its shops.

The retailer says the use of fuel cells has helped reduce polluting emissions in a number of locations by as much as 50% and adds the units can produce around 90% of each site’s electricity needs.

Home Depot also reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation and distribution of freight by a tenth and recycled or reused a third of its hazardous waste.

The company has asked its suppliers to exclude additional chemicals from residential household cleaning chemical products sold online and in stores by the end of 2022.