Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) has been advertising its "green" environmental initiatives for quite a while now. Light bulbs, organic foods and potting soils, electronics packaging materials and recycled products are all available at Wal-Mart these days, and although I believe it could do more to promote its green stance, the retailer's effort so far is admirable.Wal-Mart will soon be taking the green approach to its transport fleet by using more natural gas-powered vehicles. The Peterbuilt 386 hybrid truck reclaims wasted energy from the engine and uses it for power later on. Just as in hybrid passenger cars, the truck's "regenerative braking" reclaims lost power for battery charging in the vehicle's electrical system.
Even an efficiency gain of a few percentage points is enormous considering the number of Wal-Mart trucks all over the landscape daily. Gains of five to seven percent can be made in efficiency with these new Peterbuilt transport vehicles, which is sizable all things considered. The system, not expected to be in full use until 2010, is a great move by a big retailer. What it needs to do is market this to its customers, even though it is not directly product related. Will it do this? It's not clear. But some marketing along these lines might be a good break from "everyday low prices."











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-24-2007 @ 2:54PM
Timothy Rye said...
Now that really does make sense. just kidding. Walmart gets rid of lost prevention. They say it is ok to steel as long as it is under 25.00 because they have more theft from the inside than from the customers. They said on National T.V that they wouldn't do anything to a shop lifter that takes 25.00 or less at one time.
5-24-2007 @ 3:27PM
Brockage said...
Once again, kudos to Wal-Mart for trying new solutions to old problems. Go Smiley.
5-24-2007 @ 6:17PM
Barry said...
Hey, all right Wal-Mart, its a start, wonder how much more those trucks cost ? and Timothy, whats up with the loss prevention deal... were you a fired security guard ?
5-25-2007 @ 1:40PM
spankinthewall said...
Looks like Wal Mart still has a whole lotta people fooled by their attemps at looking good. I suppose that's what it's all about though, looks. No, wait a minute. In the public eye it's all about looking good and doing the right thing at the time but one day, maybe people will understand that Wal Mart does not ONE THING without making money in the process...NOT ONE! It may not be directly putting money in the giants hand whatever they are doing at that time but rest assured, it's ALL about the dollar to these people and they DO NOT care about the people...NO ONE! Many people working for this company do care but the powers that be care for one thing and only one thing, making money...a LOT of money. So see your fuzzy little puppys when you think of this place all you like but you don't get to be #1 on Forbes for years for caring about others, just use your brains people, they ONLY want your money PERIOD!
5-24-2007 @ 7:42PM
vegumia said...
Right! Look at all the money for new "green" trucks..wow...still Walmart is a cancer - and still stay as far away as possible...they spend money on things that show off but not their people ... who without them they would not have any stores - which may be a GREAT idea
5-24-2007 @ 7:44PM
Danny said...
That is a start in the right direction, now if they would sell more "American made products" & less from places like China, we might have a good store then.
5-24-2007 @ 8:37PM
American said...
I wonder if they bought the trucks from China? Everything they sell seems to come from China!
5-24-2007 @ 8:45PM
Michelle said...
Wal-Mart is just trying to go with the trends. Being enviromentally concious is what is in right now. They still pay their employees nothing, buy everything from China. Being enviromentally concious is a lifestyle, not a trend.
5-24-2007 @ 10:06PM
Donnie said...
Wal-mart is a buisness and the point of being in buisness is to make money. The people that complain about Wal-mart buying outside the U.S. are the same people that would complain if Wal-mart raised the prices. And thats exactly what would have to happen if Wal-mart bought mainly made in the usa. The cost of doing buisness increases daily,and Wal-mart does what it has to do to stay competitive and affordable. My buisness competes with wal-mart daily. They are a tough competitor but I respect them
5-24-2007 @ 10:37PM
rodney said...
Whether they are following a trend or being truly sincere, it's better than standing on the sidelines doing nothing.
Importing from China is something every nationwide retailer is doing. If you want to promote domestic products, open your own store touting it. You may be the next Wal-mart. You can also start a campaign to buy domestic only products at Wal-mart and other retailers. They do track this kind of thing and will adjust their purchasing accordingly.
Wal-marts salaries for employees are the same as a mom and pop stores. They hire more people than mom and pop stores. They become a retail center of townships and mom and pop stores open next to them.
5-25-2007 @ 12:12AM
Carrol said...
Sounds Good... ARe their ships that bring their goods from the far corners of the earth green too? Are the factories in China Green Powered? Also, Can anyone on God's Green Earth tell me why every wal mart in the world is so hot you can't shop there for any length of time. I feel sorry for the employees. Is that not some kinds of Safety Hazard Exposing your employees to extreme temps? Just curious. Maybe that is green too No heat and no air conditioning..
5-25-2007 @ 2:51PM
MikeVGB said...
Exactly. Thank you.
10. Looks like Wal Mart still has a whole lotta people fooled by their attemps at looking good. I suppose that's what it's all about though, looks. No, wait a minute. In the public eye it's all about looking good and doing the right thing at the time but one day, maybe people will understand that Wal Mart does not ONE THING without making money in the process...NOT ONE! It may not be directly putting money in the giants hand whatever they are doing at that time but rest assured, it's ALL about the dollar to these people and they DO NOT care about the people...NO ONE! Many people working for this company do care but the powers that be care for one thing and only one thing, making money...a LOT of money. So see your fuzzy little puppys when you think of this place all you like but you don't get to be #1 on Forbes for years for caring about others, just use your brains people, they ONLY want your money PERIOD!
Posted at 11:24PM on May 24th 2007 by spankinthewall
5-25-2007 @ 1:26AM
Rick said...
Wall Mart needs to treat the workers better and forget jumping on the "green" wagon. This is just another way for them to advertise how good they are(as long as you don't work there). Just like the "bringing it home to the USA" campain a few years back, when they milk this for all they can, "Green" will be gone also
5-25-2007 @ 1:41AM
Burt said...
Wal-mart has most of the world fooled about all the do gooding of helping people, customers, employees, and all that Horn Blowing by people like Paul Harvey and how Wal-mart is Johnny On The Spot for the whole world. Stand on your head if you truly believe that STUFF. Back when Sam was still in control things were a lot differant. Not perfect but a Damn sight better than now with the Fearless Leaders of today. Folks have you taken a good look at the Wal-mart stores lately ? The stores on the inside have gone to POT, look at them closely ! Why the people working there could care less for the way they are being treated. Take a good look at the quality of the stock in every department ! Food, clothes,house ware, at one time they did have pretty good quality and pretty good selections. NO MORE !! The clothes look like some thing out of a second hand store. Just last week while at Wal-mart in Idaho, I tried to buy some new ice trays. Oh Yea ! Cheep plastic twisted and warped and still in the package. Oh well people of this country, Wal-mart is going to get what it has coming and the hand writing is on the wall NOW.
Look at Target,Shopco,Costco,Even J.C.Penny has changed and the prices are RIGHT and the variety and selection of the whole store has really changed. I know the whole retail market buys in the foreign market but Wal-mart no longer knows quality merchandise it's all about money saved and Cheep Junk Don't Cut It !!! Enough said, we started to by pass Wal-mart some time ago. Only ONCE in a blue moon do we bother to stop. Vic Burt
5-25-2007 @ 2:28AM
tom said...
wallmart is"nt doing every other what store is doing i started thinking to start collecting things saying made in usa. you cant blame wallmart take a good look at our government if you want someone to blaim someone.