Walmart- Go Green, Save Money.
This is a picture of a Wal-mart supercenter which has
recently "gone green"
link to article:
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/04/business/la-fi-walmart-green-20110604
Summary: Several different wal-marts have begun installing solar panels for part of their energy needs, and have kept buildings cool by painting the roof white. They punched holes in the roof to provide natural lighting during the day. In total about $1 million was saved on the electricity bill since they installed the panel. Not only is it now known for being eco-friendly, but wal-mart is also saving lots of money. Wal-mart was once the source of outrage among activists because of its widespread span of suppliers, but is now one of the top eco-friendly businesses out there today.
Reflection: I think more businesses should start doing things like this, if not for the environment then to save some money on their annual electricity bills. It was smart of wal-mart to gain new customers by reaching out to those who had once hated them for being insensitive. If other companies learn from this they could gain plenty of new customers and while saving, also make money.
Questions:
1. Should more companies be "going green"?
2. What is the bigger purpose, to help the environment or save money?
3. What other big companies have gone green that you know about?
4. What other ways could wal-mart become more eco-friendly?
I believe that companies should take a step toward becoming more eco-friendly. This could prove to bring in new customers or even a new demographic. I wonder if Wal-Mart will recieve a tax incentive (like they need it)? Companies will see things a little brighter if they switched. They would not get so many negative responses to their company. It is a smart move on the part of Wal-Mart's PR department.
ReplyDeleteI have always been interested in the use of solar panels. Wal-Mart needs to realize that they are only replacing coal and not oil. Sure they will save money, but what will they do with it. I think Wal-Mart should give their employees better care because there have been so many reports of the terrible treatment of their staff. This is a step towards the better on their part.
I definitely think more companies should be following Wal-Mart. Now that there is a good example of going green and shows that a major company becoming environmentally friendly does not result in a financial disaster, there's really no reason for a confident company to do the same. I see it a an all-win situation, the company benefits from saving money and gets more customers who previously would not have agreed with it because of their environmental habits, and the environment also benefits. Unfortunately though, it seems the sad truth is that the change was more likely for the financial benefit of Wal-Mart, the environment is only a plus. Another possible thing Wal-Mart could do is put wind turbines in the parking lot to be used at night. (In case any of you were in Mr. Iaia's class...)
ReplyDeleteI feel that more companies should follow in Wal-Mart’s foot step because they can help to make earth better for everyone. I think this is great for two reasons. One is that I love Wal-Mart and think you can get good things for almost nothing. Reason two is because it is not a lot but makes a big difference. I thin that more companies should go GREEN. Wal-Mart could be more eco-friendly by almost forcing customers to use reusable shopping bags.
ReplyDeleteOpinion/Reflection: What Walmart decided to do was very smart. They cut their electric bill as well as helping the environment in the process by using an alternate source of fuel to light their store, natural light and solar panels. I think that this also does help the overall image of the company. As Mara mentioned, they were the source of outrage. This adding solar panels and letting light into the store really makes Walmart seem like they are trying to make new changes that make them a more eco-friendly company. Other companies and stores should follow in Walmart's footsteps.
ReplyDeleteExpansion: I think that the overall purpose of the Walmart company in being more eco-friendly and using solar energy is to save money in the end. If solar energy cost more upfront and over a year, Walmart most likely wouldn't have made the changes. Hoever, with making money, they changed their overall image as I have mentioned earlier. They really did do good for the environment in these changes being performed, but profit and economics is what Walmart is trying to keep stable.
ReplyDelete