Institute For The Future

Wal-Mart goes green

This is not really a new story, but I did want to flag the long article on MSN Money about Wal-Mart's efforts to re-invent itself as an "eco-hero." Wal-Mart has already made great strides with its own sustainability program; now, it also wants to cut its suppliers and customers' impact on the globe.

 

For example, after replacing the incandescent light bulbs in its stores, Wal-Mart implemented a plan to promote compact fluorescent bulbs to consumers. According to the article, it "has sold over 100 million of them - more than one per customer - saving enough energy to run a city the size of Philadelphia." Other examples include: buying shrimp from sustainable fisheries; aiming by 2010 to sell only sustainable seafood; and providing an optional checklist to suppliers to encourage them to cut down on their packaging and other waste.

 

As the MSN Money article observes, "In a business world that's always competitive and often mean and ugly, going green gives Wal-Mart, and its employees, a source of pride and enthusiasm. . . . [And t]here are cost savings as well . . ."