Wal-Mart outlines environmental efforts progress

Reuters: Wal-Mart Stores Inc released a report on Thursday outlining the progress it is making in meeting its so-called "sustainability" goals, such as cutting waste and reducing energy at the discount retailer's stores. Wal-Mart, which began the environmental push in 2005, has set a goal of one day using only renewable energy and creating zero waste.

In that effort, the company has constructed experimental stores to test different ways to conserve water or electricity while also cutting waste. Earlier this year, it unveiled a new "Sustainability 360" environmental plan, challenging employees, suppliers and customers to remove nonrenewable energy from their lives. Because of its size as the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart is considered one of few able to leverage its corporate muscle to make direct changes to global energy consumption.

While the efforts may help the environment, they are also seen as a way for Wal-Mart to cut costs. "We have found that there is no conflict between our business model of everyday low costs and everyday low prices and being a more sustainable business," Chief Executive Lee Scott said in the report. "...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."

Reuters: Wal-Mart Stores Inc released a report on Thursday outlining the progress it is making in meeting its so-called "sustainability" goals, such as cutting waste and reducing energy at the discount retailer's stores. Wal-Mart, which began the environmental push in 2005, has set a goal of one day using only renewable energy and creating zero waste.

In that effort, the company has constructed experimental stores to test different ways to conserve water or electricity while also cutting waste. Earlier this year, it unveiled a new "Sustainability 360" environmental plan, challenging employees, suppliers and customers to remove nonrenewable energy from their lives. Because of its size as the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart is considered one of few able to leverage its corporate muscle to make direct changes to global energy consumption.

While the efforts may help the environment, they are also seen as a way for Wal-Mart to cut costs. "We have found that there is no conflict between our business model of everyday low costs and everyday low prices and being a more sustainable business," Chief Executive Lee Scott said in the report. "...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."