NYT: Wal-Mart to Seek Savings in Energy("parsed support" from env. groups)

[DeepModem Mom]

Wal-Mart to Seek Savings in Energy
By MICHAEL BARBARO and FELICITY BARRINGER
Published: October 25, 2005


BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 24 - Wal-Mart's chief executive is set to announce on Tuesday a set of sweeping, specific environmental goals to reduce energy use in its stores, double its trucks' fuel efficiency, minimize its use of packaging and pressure thousands of companies in its worldwide supply chain to follow its lead.

Embracing energy-conscious and environmentally conscious goals will help both the company's bottom line and its customers' needs, H. Lee Scott said in an interview Monday.

Mr. Scott's announcement signals that the nation's largest retailer is joining the nation's largest manufacturer, General Electric, in pursuing policies that set specific goals for environmental performance, while advertising those goals to shareholders and customers and the public as strategic business decisions.

G.E. faced criticism for its own environmental practices; Wal-Mart has faced criticism as well, but largely over its low wages, scant health insurance coverage and what its critics have called poor treatment of workers. Those critics responded to Wal-Mart's environmental initiative by saying that, while admirable, it is intended to divert attention from the chain's image problems....

***

News of the upcoming announcement drew carefully parsed praise from leaders of environmental groups, including some, like Environmental Defense, which have a history of joint initiatives with large businesses, and others, like the Sierra Club, which have traditionally been more confrontational....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/25/business/25walmart.html

[pberq]

1. Interesting - WalMart will do anything but treat its workers

decently. Sure, this is good, but if they really wanted to help their bottom line, they would treat their workers like human beings and give them a living wage and health care.

I have read that CostCo does this and at the same time they are doing great financially.

[tularetom]

2. If wally world wants to become a "green" company

they sure as hell are picking the wrong role model. GE? Gimme a break. Look for lots of TV ads with pristine forests, cute animals, and happy hikers and not a goddamn thing will change policy wise.

[Kolesar]

3. They could integrate photovoltaic generators on their new buildings

The generators could help with the peak loads of air conditioning. God knows, they are building enough new buildings.

[Javaman]

4. If they really wanted to be green...

They wouldn't build such huge energy sucking buildings to begin with.

Also, if they really cared they would build their gigantic footprint buildings near aquifers.

they are just plain evil.

[sweepster]

5. Could start saving energy by closing the stores at 12:00

Why be open 24 hours a day? My wifes employee used to work at WM and she said they would have just a handful of customers after 1:00

[wordpix]

6. real reason for "being green": November movie on WalMart

WalMart is a huge contributor to Repugs: $1,732,250 in past year, according to buyblue.org. Here's the real reason reason for Walmart's new "green" effort. Check this out (and more):

http://www.buyblue.org/search/node/Walmart

Screenings of Wal-Mart the Movie: The High Cost of Low Price are playing across the country the week of November 13-19. The movie’s website starts out:

"Everyone has seen Wal-Mart's lavish television commercials, but have you ever wondered why Wal-Mart spends so much money trying to convince you it cares about your family, your community, and even its own employees? What is it hiding?

WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price takes you behind the glitz and into the real lives of workers and their families, business owners and their communities, in an extraordinary journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop."

[Lisa]

7. Hm. They had this huge, elaborate proposal for a Vancouver store

It was supposed to be a "green building", and they wanted it to be big and expensive, with lots of bells and whistles (windmills on the roof, anyone?). And then the proposal turned into a shambles -- the municipalities didn't want it, and everyone started worrying about cost overruns.

They ended up undermining the concept of green buildings in BC -- sensible designs which do not cost more (and in most cases will be less expensive) than "ordinary" buildings. And they're supposed to be integrated into the community and don't encourage sprawl (and the burning of more fossil fuels). My landlord, who works for the government agency that promotes green buildings, says that Wal-Mart set their work back by a couple of decades! He and his colleagues are furious.

[warrens]

8. They tend to go for the types of things that get headlines

Their first green store was in California, outside LA. I was at the opening, and it had some cool stuff. Solar panels on the roof ran the lights at night, with clear windows during the day letting in light but blocking heat. The flooring in the entrance and kids area was made out of recycled tires. But on the whole, it was more flash than substance.

Still, if they are serious, they could do a lot of good.