Wal-Mart announced this without and governmental regulation, and I think if energy prices maintain these levels we are going to see a lot more of this from other companies:

Targets include spending $500 million a year to: increase fuel efficiency in Wal-Mart’s truck fleet by 25 percent over three years and doubling it within 10 years; reduce greenhouse gases by 20 percent in seven years; reduce energy use at stores by 30 percent; and cut solid waste from U.S. stores and Sam’s Clubs by 25 percent in three years.

He said improving fuel mileage in the trucking fleet by one mile per gallon would save more than $52 million per year. The company also aims to cut energy usage at its stores by 30 percent.

Wal-Mart recently opened an experimental store in McKinney, Texas, to study environmental efforts such as heating the store with used cooking and motor oil. Scott said the savings so far were not enough to cover the cost of building the store, but that it may be economically feasible if Wal-Mart takes advantage of its size and rolls out such changes across the chain.

Scott said the plan was part of goals set after a year of talks with Wal-Mart’s employees, suppliers, critics and customers that he said showed many of the issues where the company was on the defensive could be opportunities instead.

Of course, if you read the rest of the article, you will find the MSM going out of their way to make sure groups like the Sierra Club are heard. I am am going to put on a happy face.

Posted by Ryan S. on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at 3:38 PM | Permalink |