GreenBiz.com reports that Walmart's latest green supercenter prototype is up and running, ironically enough in Las Vegas. The new supercenter includes innovative cooling systems, skylights for daylighting and LED lighting. Read about it here.
I personally avoid Walmart like a roach farm - my reasons being:
- According to the AP, it is the WORLD'S largest private energy consumer.
- There are too many renegade carts in the parking lots. Target has corrals.
- The store down the street from me is poorly lit, like KMart used to be. I feel like I need a bath when I leave.
- I've heard too many stories about underpaid illegal immigrants working the cash machines. I want no part of it.
- Did I mention - the WORLD'S largest private energy consumer?
To be fair, they've appointed a guy named Matt Kistler to the highly coveted position of "senior vice president for sustainability". With his leadership, they have stepped up in recent 
months, starting programs like the new store prototypes to address their energy consumption. In fact, they're even pushing it on their consumers - maybe you noticed how compact flourescent bulbs and highly concentrated laundry detergents have moved to center stage on Walmart's shelves? They're hoping you'll save a few dimes on your energy bill, then turn around and spend it on that nose hair trimmer you've been lusting after for so long.
While I recognize that their marketing department undoubtedly intends on capitalizing on the green revolution, the new store is definitely a step in the right direction. Do motives really matter?
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Motives do matter. Steps in the direction of being less of an energy-consumer notwithstanding, Wal-Mart is still one of the most evil (and vile) corporations on the planet. Have you ever seen the movie WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price? It comes from the same left-wing documentary school of film-making as Michael Moore, but I find it much more interesting than Michael Moore's work, albeit less entertaining. It chronicles the evils of Wal-Mart in the US and abroad. Even recognizing that, as a documentary made to prove a point, it's going to be biased, it's still a fascinating film. If you find time, I definitely recommend watching it, including the special feature documentary about Canada.
Thank you for the recommendation. I actually started watching it one night but got distracted and never finished. As you note, it's a little one-sided and portrays some questionable material.
Let's agree that we don't like the Walmart machine - but is it wrong to celebrate that a company with a bad rep is stepping up to the environmental plate?
JuiceEnergy.com reports - "Wal-Mart has made a commitment to reduce overall GHG emissions by 20% over the next 8 years and set a long-term corporate goal to purchase 100% of their energy from renewable sources. Wal-Mart has also set a goal to increase fuel efficiency of its fleet by 25% over the next 3 years and is currently the largest single purchaser of 100% organic cotton products."
They aren't the only ones - even Target's on the energy conservation bandwagon - but there are very few companies purchasing 100% renewable energy. We don't even see percentages that high in most LEED certified - projects.
I'm sure they've recognized the economical benefits this may bring them (tax incentives, lowered energy bills, increased revenue) but can we really continue to condemn a company making such gigantic strides?
Catie Quanrud
Green Kitchen Designer and Healthy Living Advocate
"Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children." -- Kenyan Proverb
Walley's World makes me reconsider everything it's ever done with its simple switch to more sustainable energy practices. Isn't that weird?
Their organic aisle does not!
Here's the blog I wrote to address this subject (http://www.progressiveu.org/165720-green-v-prosperity-total-falsity) although I think your post has more sustenance.
Sustainably yers, http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
I agree, and not just for the sake of the future generations. An example I learned about last night - windmills are backordered for 3 years. That means that European companies are scrambling to open shop in the USA, building factories, creating jobs and boosting the economy. It's a whole new industry and it's relevant to everyone that's been affected by our economy's shortfallings.
In its efforts Walmart, a company no one would list as an model of corporate ethics, is adding to the tidal wave that is corporate sustainability. It is impressive and it may be a turn of the page for them. I for one will stop hesitating to shop its aisles (although I still contend they need to work on the shopping cart situation in their parking lots).
P.S. I love that you referenced Treehugger.com - I'm a big fan.
Catie Quanrud
Green Kitchen Designer and Healthy Living Advocate
"Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children." -- Kenyan Proverb
Gosh that makes me laugh. You're right, those radical Euros are actually building a wind manufacturing plant in Butte, Montana, a city that has been an incredible symbol of a community that prospers on its beef pasties and mining for resources.
And so it marks a fundamental switch. How cool. The only thing I find sad about it is that American subsidization of renewable energy sources is always a gamble to the public. Thus the hesitant market for windmills and solar cells-- people don't know whether the govt. will fund them in 4 years...
This is what we have to change! Tag you're it!
Sustainably yers, http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
we need to stop relying on the government. Check out www.renewablechoice.com - more about this in future blogs but in short, it's a way for all of us to purchase energy from coop wind farmers, small scale hydro energy and biomass energy companies. All of us as in Walmart, Target, you and me. To be honest, it costs money, but any LEED project or really any business advertising energy-efficiency is required to purchase REC's and why not do it from small-scale "energy brokers" - then you know the money is helping little guys in Butte, Montana AND decreasing the percentage of coal and oil based energy in our grid.
As for solar panels, they only make economic sense to their owners. It's a fantastic technology, and as a resident of The Sunshine State I'm a big advocate, but no one's going to make any money generating and selling solar energy.
Windmills do make sense, but only in certain areas. There are some counties (and individual businesses) that save considerable money by investing in wind power. On the other hand, some of us don't have enough consistent wind for the mills to make sense. In Florida, we get more than our share of wind, although it all usually comes in one big chunk and has cute names like "Charlie" or "Katrina". As with anything else, it's all about the return on our investments - but if wind isn't the answer for one particular area, there's probably another option under our noses (i.e. burn up the extra sugar cane).
Catie Quanrud
Green Kitchen Designer and Healthy Living Advocate
"Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children." -- Kenyan Proverb