The Greening Of Wal-Mart Part 1
Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart!) is continuing to become more Green and socially aware. What changes are they making?
In the New York Times article, Wal-Mart Chief Offers a Social Manifesto, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott has pledged to:
* Cut the energy used by many of its products 25 percent.
* Force the chain’s suppliers to meet stricter ethical standards.
* Apply its legendary cost-cutting skills to help other companies deliver health care for their employees.
Wal-Mart will also work with other retailers to boost industry-wide green standards. Within five years, Wal-Mart suppliers will be required to meet stringent environmental standards — and may even be paid more to do so.
Scott then laid out sweeping plans for the company on several health and environmental issues, and he hinted that even more ambitious goals might be on the horizon. What types of Green changes at Wal-Mart may be possible?
Some ideas mentioned:
* Double its sales of merchandise that help consumers improve home energy efficiency.
* Sell electric or hybrid cars (they are currently in talks with some auto makers).
* Set up windmills or solar panels in its parking lots to allow customers to recharge with renewable energy.
Gwen Ruta of green group Environmental Defense says:
“It’s a good vision. Now we need to make it a reality.”
Wal-Mart has already been on this Green path. Some facts:
* Wal-Mart has been aggressively pushing green goals since 2005
* It has strived to open energy-efficient stores
* to date has sold 145 million compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Surprising to many, Wal-Mart has been taking significant towards a Green future for some time now.
Is this enough to switch your shopping destination?
