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CONSERVATION CORNER
(For the week of June 23, 2008)
Wal-Mart Taking Steps To Be Better Environmental Stewards
by James L. Cummins

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, will be opening four new stores in 2008 that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on refrigeration costs. These stores are to use 25 to 30 percent less energy than the first round of high efficiency stores that first opened in 2005.

The first of the 2008 stores opened January 23rd in Romeoville, Illinois. All of the new 2008 stores will be located in different climate zones across the county.

Wal-Mart is believed to be the biggest private user of electricity in all of the United States. They have more than 4,000 U.S. stores of which approximately 2,400 are supercenters. Wal-Mart's goal is to reduce their greenhouse gas footprint by 20 percent. This new goal has huge potential to cut back on greenhouse gases from fossil fuels that are burned to create electricity. Wal-Mart is looking to reduce their overall global energy consumption.

The newer energy-saving stores have such features as white roofs (which deflect the sun's heat), low-flow bathroom faucets, LED lights, advanced daylight harvesting systems and energy-saving HVAC systems.

Fluorescent lighting in refrigerated food cases have been replaced with LED lighting coupled with occupancy sensing controls proved to provide the combination of energy savings, improved performance and reduced maintenance. The LEDs use less power than fluorescents; generate less heat while in use, and no heat when turned off by the sensors. By detecting motion in the store aisles, the sensors turn case lights on as the customer approaches and switches off after a short period of no detected movement. Another plus is that LEDs contain no mercury and no glass whereas fluorescent tubes contain material requiring special disposal.

Wal-Mart is also working to lead an effort by major global retailers to create common social and environmental standards for suppliers. They are requiring all of their suppliers to meet specific environmental, social and quality standards and making compliance with those standards part of its contracts. They have also challenged suppliers to remove nonrenewable energy from their lives.

Wal-Mart sees the impact that rising energy costs have on customers who must choose between filling their gas tanks or buying food, medicine and other essential supplies. They are taking a leadership role and making a difference that is not only good for business but good for the world's environment. In addition to helping the environment and customers, it will also help Wal-Mart's bottom line.