Wal-Mart going globally green

According to Greenbiz , In Aguascalientes, Mexico, more than half the rooftop of the Bodega Aurrera Convencion was covered with solar panels. Wal-Mart Mexico installed more than 1,056 solar panels on more than 23,000 sq ft of the rooftop. The 174 kW system will supply the store with 20% of its energy and reduce the CO2 emissions by an estimated 140 tons.

The Mexican Solar Energy Assn. awarded Wal-Mart Mexico for its efforts in the project. “This is the first large-scale project to generate energy using photovoltaic panels, not only for Wal-Mart Mexico, but for Wal-Mart International,” Raul Arguelles, senior vice president for corporate affairs and people division at Wal-Mart Mexico, said in a statement. “This puts Mexico at the head of the energy field. The project reinforces our commitment to obtain all the energy the company requires from renewable sources by 2025.”

In Burlington, Ontario, Wal-Mart Canada opened the first green store prototype. The Burlington Wal-Mart has an energy efficiency rating that is 60% more efficient than conventional buildings. During 2009, Wal-Mart plans to open other stores that are 30% more energy efficient than standard sties. Wal-Mart installed 23 environmentally friendly elements in the store. The builders used only renewable power during the construction, which was supplied by Bullfrog Power.

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

For employees and customers, the store maintains multiple waste diversion streams for paper, plastic and organics. The programs include recycling polystyrene waste into fire-resistant insulation used for commercial building. The new Burlington location also encourages customers to recycle plastic bags and CFL light bulbs, and has set up an in-store recycling center to deposit the material. The store expects to divert 85% of its waste from landfill and avoid release of an estimated 141 tons of carbon emissions.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.