Wal-Mart Goes Green
Wal-Mart gets kicked around a lot. They’ve been blamed for putting small businesses out of business, paying workers too little and contributing to low wages around the world by focusing with laser intensity on selling products at the lowest possible price. And they deserve much of that criticism. But the corporate behemoth is doing some things right. Today they announced a new “Love, Earth” jewelry line that allows consumers to trace the origins of the materials through a Web site that links to mines and manufacturers. The line is a collaboration with Conservation International.
The announcement is another in a string of sustainable business initiatives to come out of the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company. Wal-Mart says its sustainability goals are simple: to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; to create zero waste; and to sell products that sustain our natural resources and the environment.
But talk is cheap, right? I am skeptical of any business that sets such lofty goals with absolutely no mention of a timeline. On the other hand, I’ve noticed my local Wal-Mart now has recycling bins set up so shoppers can toss in their old alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Wal-Mart has definitely been taking steps to move in the right direction, and some of these bigger steps do have quanitifiable targets. I’m actually impressed. These are a few of the steps Wal-Mart has taken in the last year:
- joined the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) ( World Wildlife Fund’s initiative to save the world’s most threatened forests), and committed to phasing out illegal and unwanted wood sources within five years and increasing its proportion of wood products originating from credibly certified sources
- committed to purchasing 100 percent of its wild caught seafood sold in the U.S. from sources certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) within four years
- in May 2008, achieved the goal made in 2007 to sell only concentrated liquid laundry detergent in its U.S. and Canadian stores
- announced a plan to provide solar energy to 22 stores in California and Hawaii, which is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6500 to 10,000 metric tons per year
- began selling reusable bags for $1 each in all of its stores
- in October 2007, reached its goald to sell 100 million compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) three months ahead of schedule
- committed to reducing packaging by 5 percent by 2013 and introduced a scorecard to keep track of its progress
The company’s website lists a host of other accomplishments and initiatives, too. If they can accomplish these goals, Wal-Mart will set a great example of how going green can be good for the environment and business. I wish them much success.
