Wal-Mart gets even greener
At first glance, Wal-Mart's recent attempts at becoming a more eco-friendly organization might feel superficial. After all, seemingly every company is jumping on the environmental bandwagon, and of all the major retailers of the world, Wal-Mart is a fairly easy target for anti-corporate types. However, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc released a report yesterday stating that they're not only meeting their extensive sustainability goals, but also launching a new program designed to help everyone involved with their organization -- from the staff, to the suppliers, to the customers -- use renewable energy resources.
So has the world's largest retailer suddenly discovered its conscience? Maybe. But the success of this program is more likely to do with its economic rewards. According to Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's CEO: "Many of our environmental sustainability efforts, for example, mean cost savings for us, our suppliers and our customers, so that in both good times and bad times, they will remain part of who we are."
While the company's efforts, in and of themselves, are good news for the environment, the knock-on effect could be even more exciting. When a company this large -- and this powerful -- makes such a strong statement, the world takes notice.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-23-2007 @ 2:52AM
David Ross said...
California utility bill payers are getting robbed by unethical merchants in adjacent states, primarily Nevada, as we are subsidizing the retail cost of CFL bulbs, sold in California for from 50ยข to $3.00 each
(most commonly $1 ea. for 40 to 100 watt incandescent equivalents).
These criminals come to our state to buy CFLs in quantity cheaper than they can get them wholesale from the manufacturers, then resell them at full normal retail price, thus stealing their increased profit margins from Californians! Buyers of CFLs in other states should look for any evidence of PG&E or other CA utility company participation (stickers or inserts). These bulbs are also being sold on eBay and other online auctions. Report it to your local media!
See the Chronicle story at tinyurl dot com/3yxl9n
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11-23-2007 @ 8:26AM
Karsten said...
Walmart, just like any other retailer, is not discovering environmental consciousness. They have discovered that if you call it "green" you gain an edge in marketing your business. This is especially important for such controversial, yet successful companies such as Walmart. There may be money saved before the sale of the stuff, much more importantly though, customers will continue to buy from Walmart if they also receive a guilty feeling relief. It feels great to buy low-price crap and get to believe that you are helping the environment as well. Good deal!
You think they would do it if they had FEWER customers as a result or the prices had to go up? Of course not. Causing less damage to the environment needs to be at least as convenient and efficient as previous business strategies were. These are the same old business decisions than before, just with a temporarily different twist. It will be replaced with whatever ensures continued profits when they find a reason. Caring for the environment has nothing to do with this.
It will work until people are educated enough to see behind those strategies. Long way to go I am afraid.
Karsten
http://www.polluteless.com
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