Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Wal-Mart Discovers Multiple Benefits of Going Green

By Martin Rolee


These days plastic rubbish has become the biggest environmental matters facing us. Until tough steps are taken by governments, organizations and the general public, the problem is very likely to worsen. After being painted as environmental villains for quite some time, several major organizations are discovering that being environmentally friendly genuinely makes excellent business sense. In recent years, retail giant Wal-Mart has realized that its endeavours to go green have not only helped in enhancing the company's goodwill, but has also resulted in sizeable cost savings.

Environment Friendly Steps taken by Wal-Mart

The Los Angeles Times recently published an article on Wal-Mart's environment friendly efforts. Included in this are the installing of fuel cells, that have helped the company reduce electricity usage and cut costs. The company is also working to use better packaging materials and reduce waste. Scaling back on packaging has helped Wal-Mart save many millions. The green efforts have also helped the company prevent potential legal liabilities. According to the company, in California, 80% of waste does not wind up in landfills and also a part of this is recycled into new products. Wal-Mart stores now include eco-friendly detergents and diapers as well as photo frames, dog beds as well as other goods made from recycled materials.

Green Efforts of Other Large Organizations

More examples of major organizations that have taken significant steps to go eco-friendly include PepsiCo and IBM. PepsiCo is planning to test biodegradable containers made out of raw materials like orange peels and oat hulls, which are major waste products at the company's facilities. A spokesperson for IBM, which was able to reach the top of the Corporate Responsibility Magazine's list of environmentally friendly corporations, has clarified that environmentalism is a growth strategy instead of corporate virtue for the company. Beer manufacturer Anheuser-Busch Inbev strives to recycle 99% of its waste and lower its water usage by 30% by the end of next year.

While some critics state that marketing benefits and external demand are the main reasons for these organizations going green, so long as the efforts bring about solid environmental benefits, there is no harm in appreciating them. Organizations like Wal-Mart are honest enough to confess that betterment in their bottom line along with public goodwill are the key motivators behind their efforts. Since establishing its green movement in 2005, the company has managed to win over almost all of its environmental critics. Wal-Mart corporate affairs executive vice president Leslie Dach believes that as a major organization, they have the duty along with the opportunity to make choices that will lead to positive changes across the overall supply chain.

How You can Contribute to the Cause

While large organizations like Wal-Mart are contributing substantially to the green movement, individuals and small companies also have to do their bit. Like Wal-Mart, you too can discover the countless advantages of going green by taking steps in the right direction. Effortless things like opting for recyclable grocery bags as opposed to plastic can easily make a difference. Many organizations now offers many different eco-friendly items like reusable bottles, reusable bags etc, which can replace plastic products. Make the correct choice and become an integral part of the green movement today.




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