# Eco Options at the Home Depot. Interview with Cate Franklyn

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/03/eco-options-at-the-home-depot-interview-with-cate-franklyn/
- Published: 2010-03-24T19:02:00-04:00
- Author: greenguruguides

## Eco Options at The Home Depot: Interview with Cate Franklyn

Sustainable living often starts at home—and The Home Depot has long aimed to make
greener choices more accessible for everyone. Through its Eco Options program, the
retailer highlights products that save energy, conserve water, improve air quality,
and reduce environmental impact.

To learn more about how the program works and what it means for consumers, I sat
down with Cate Franklyn, Senior Merchant for Paint at The Home Depot, in a special
episode of The Green Living Guy Podcast. You can listen to our full conversation
here:

🎧 Listen to the interview on Apple Podcasts

### Making Sustainability Easier for Shoppers

Cate explained that [Eco](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/4-features-to-look-for-in-an-eco-friendly-home/)
Options is about taking the guesswork out of sustainable shopping. The label appears
in-store and online to help customers quickly identify environmentally preferable
products.

![Home Depot Eco Options aisle with green signage highlighting energy-saving, low-
VOC, and water-conserving products.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2010/03/AC432B04-0FC1-43D9-97D8-95E4FC89A95D.png?resize=736%2C736&quality
=50&ssl=1)

The Home Depot’s Eco Options section helps customers find sustainable products like
low-VOC paints and energy-efficient fixtures.

From ENERGY STAR® appliances to low-VOC paints, Eco Options highlights categories
that meet strict sustainability criteria. The goal is to support informed choices
while keeping pricing and selection competitive.

Cate noted that many customers want to reduce their environmental impact but don’t
know where to start. The Eco Options program bridges that gap, offering clear labeling
and expert guidance to help shoppers choose greener solutions for their homes.

### Focus on Healthier Paint Choices

As Senior Merchant for Paint, Cate has a particular interest in indoor air quality.
During our conversation, she shared how low- and zero-VOC paints are a key part 
of the Eco Options lineup.

These paints significantly reduce the release of harmful volatile organic compounds,
improving indoor air quality for homeowners and professionals alike. It’s a small
switch that can have a big health impact—while delivering the same color and coverage
quality people expect.

### More Than Just Paint

The Eco Options program spans a wide range of categories, including:

 1. Energy-saving lighting and appliances
 2. Water-conserving fixtures
 3. Sustainable building materials
 4. Cleaner chemicals and household products

Cate emphasized that the program is constantly evolving, with new products added
as technology and industry standards improve. The idea is to help customers make
more sustainable choices at any budget and for any project.

### Why Eco Options Matters

As more consumers look to reduce their [carbon footprint](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/03/green-guru-guides-do-it-yourself-energy-audits-simple-solutions-to-reduce-your-utility-bill-and-carbon-footprint/)
and live healthier lives, big retailers have a role to play in making sustainable
options mainstream. Programs like Eco Options show how companies can use their buying
power and supply chains to promote greener products at scale.

Cate’s insights highlight that while going green can seem daunting, clear labeling,
education, and choice make it easier. When companies take the lead in guiding consumers
toward better products, everyone wins—from homeowners to the environment itself.

🎧 Listen to the Full [Interview](https://greenlivingguy.com/green-living-appearances-book-tour-consulting-donations/podcasts/)

Want to hear Cate Franklyn discuss Eco Options in her own words? Check out the full
episode of The Green Living Guy Podcast:

✅ [Listen now on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-living-guy/id377700295?i=1000333187562)

Sources

 * [The Home Depot: Eco Options Program](https://www.homedepot.com/c/Eco_Options)
 * [EPA: Indoor Air Quality and Paint](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality)