Wal-Mart

06 Mar 2008 It’s not easy being the biggest retailer in the world and attempting to tackle sustainability. But ever since CEO Lee Scott announced his intention to turn Wal-Mart into a model of environmental integrity in 2005, the colossal company has proven to be a worthy player in reversing the wheels of climate change.

What to Applaud

From installing energy-saving technology in their stores, to giving preference to suppliers who decrease packaging and use renewable resources, Wal-Mart has recently taken on a number of green initiatives including:

Working with suppliers to make green products more available and affordable (to date Wal-Mart has sold over 100 million CFL’s) Instituting a “no idling” policy for company trucks to save millions of gallons of fuel Creating “green super-stores” with waterless urinals and wind turbines Offering personal sustainability training to their 1.8 million US employees.

The Mission Ahead

Wal-Mart has made public their ambitious commitment “to be supplied by 100 percent renewable resources, to create zero waste and to sell products that sustain our resources and environment.” Their influence on consumers and suppliers cannot be underestimated. Last fall, they announced they will only sell concentrated liquid laundry detergent to reduce water and plastic usage. Selling a quarter of the detergent in the U.S. gives the retailer major clout — the move already has led top manufacturers to change their operations to accommodate. With revenues representing 2 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and suppliers numbering over 60,000, Wal-Mart’s impact on how the world does “business as usual” is enormous. If they can achieve these goals and grow at a rate that isn’t counter-productive to the greening of the environment, everyone on Earth will be better off.

Links

• CEO’s 2005 speech pledging commitment to environment
• CEO’s 2007 360 Sustainability Speech
• Wal-Mart Watch