Big box retailer aims to reduce carbon footprint

Wal-Mart is opening an eco-friendly store in Romeoville, IL on January 23^rd. This store is part of the second phase of “high efficiency stores” which will make all stores 25 to 20 percent more efficient by 2009. 

The stores do not look any different than non-energy efficient stores, but there are differences:

• The concrete floor uses waste from coal operations
• Decorative floor boards and moldings are made from left over material from making holes in diapers
• A system is used to reclaim the heat generated from the refrigeration equipment
• New system for refrigerating products which uses 90% less refrigerant
• Use of motion detective lights
• A white roof with skylights which keeps the building cooler during the summer and allows them to use less lights when the sun is shining

Wal-mart, on February 1^st, will start benchmarking their vendors on the sustainability of their packaging. The results will influence whom Wal-Mart buys products from. The goal of this is to reduce packaging by 5% by 2013.