News: Wal-Mart takes green approach to detergent

summeranne · **News: Wal-Mart takes green approach to detergent**

Quote:

Wal-Mart takes green approach to detergent

Retail giant to offer only concentrated kind that cuts back packaging

BENTONVILLE, Arkansas - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Wednesday it will sell only concentrated liquid laundry detergent in the United States, a move the world's biggest retailer says will save millions of pounds of packaging each year.

Wal-Mart said its stores account for 25 percent of liquid laundry detergent sales and that its effort will save 400 million gallons of water, 95 million pounds of plastic and 125 million pounds of cardboard. The company would also save fuel by transporting less mass.

Wal-Mart has emphasized sustainability as a way to be environmentally friendly and cut costs.

Wal-Mart takes green approach to detergent - Future of Business - MSNBC.com

Interesting. I personally hate that there are different concentration levels. Make it all consistent!

LuvMySoldier · 09-26-2007, 07:19 PM

I love this idea! Soon everyone will only see concentrated detergent which I'm hoping might start a chain reaction with other products! I never got the idea of selling refills of Downey and the like. I know it saved on plastic production, but I'd always thought, "Just make it stronger to last longer, and we wouldn't be buying so much packaging to begin with." That said, I usually water my fabric softener down anyways. You really DO NOT NEED as much soap or softener than the packages tells you! I think I read somewhere that it really only takes a few Tbls. of soap to do a whole load of laundry!!

Sorry to get off-subject there...but is Walmart REALLY that concerned about the environment, or are they only doing this to look good? OR...are they only doing this to further line their pockets?? Hmmm...one has to wonder....I wonder if they'll pass those savings along to the consumer, or if they'll give their employees pay raises, or health insurance. Doubtful.

Kim · 09-26-2007, 07:44 PM

Maybe Wal-mart isn't the "Evil Empire" after all...

LuvMySoldier · 09-26-2007, 08:11 PM

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Originally Posted by Kim

Maybe Wal-mart isn't the "Evil Empire" after all...

Yes, I was also going to say that WHATEVER their motivation, I'm just happy to see that they ARE taking a step in an "environmentally-friendly direction"!!

LuvMySoldier · 09-26-2007, 08:20 PM

Updated: 10:58 a.m. MT Sept 26, 2007

In a move with potentially far-reaching consequences, Wal-Mart Stores says it will begin to measure the amount of energy used to manufacture and distribute some of its products, and it will launch a pilot project with certain suppliers to look for new ways to cut their energy use. The effort will begin with suppliers in seven product categories: DVDs, toothpaste, soap, milk, beer, vacuum cleaners, and soda.

The retailing giant announced the initiative Sept. 24 in partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project, a nonprofit group supported by institutional shareholders that focuses on climate change and carbon emissions. Wal-Mart says it plans to use the Carbon Disclosure Project's expertise to help set up the new program with its suppliers. "We are working together to measure our global supply chain footprint and to encourage our suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said John Fleming, executive vice-president and chief merchandising officer at Wal-Mart.

Environmental activists are cautiously optimistic. Many believe that Wal-Mart has been using green initiatives over the past year to try to burnish its image, battered by criticisms of its worker pay and benefits policies. But even the greenest of the greens acknowledge that if Wal-Mart really pushes for change with the latest initiative, it has the size and scale, with $350 billion in annual sales and 60,000 suppliers, to make a real difference. "Wal-Mart is forging new ground here," says Kert Davies, research director at Greenpeace. "Wal-Mart has the power to coax suppliers into changing. They're taking on a daunting task, which is pretty cool."

summeranne · 09-27-2007, 05:08 PM

But why does it matter if they are doing it for the PR or not? Don't people say every little bit helps when it comes to the three R's?

GreenMommy · 09-27-2007, 10:22 PM

I think a better step for walmart would be to stop selling laundry detergents loaded with petrochemicals and phosphates, but what ya going to do? Every bit does count ... I guess.

LuvMySoldier · 09-28-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summeranne

But why does it matter if they are doing it for the PR or not? Don't people say every little bit helps when it comes to the three R's?

You're right, summeranne - every little bit DOES help. I was just pointing out for discussions' sake that some people are questioning their motives. I hope other large companies follow suit. This is definately a step in a positive direction. I applaud them.

Sundowner2 · 09-28-2007, 11:14 AM

A few months ago, I read an article in a magazine warning people not to freak out when suddenly the bottle of detergent they reached for was half or a third of the normal size, and told DH about it, that ALL the major detergent companies were soon ONLY going to be producing the small concentrated bottles of laundry detergent to reduce costs for shipping, producing, shelf space and weight and trash in the environment. Our Target and Kroger has been clearancing out the normal larger sized bottles for over a month now, almost only stocking the small ones, so I have to wonder if Walmart is just trying to make themselves sound all great for doing something that they had no control over anyway... Perhaps thats the sceptic in me.

Either way, I like the idea, less for me to carry, I like to stock up on detergent and it gets heavy. We had our laundry detergent shelf in the utility room fall down last night, there was too much weight on it. Won't happen wih small bottles!!

brensmom · 09-28-2007, 12:13 PM

i was gonna say the manufacturers of the products are switching to smaller packaging not all for "green purposes" it helps reduce their production cost and does not lower the cost to consumers. also in the hopes consumers will use more if they are not carefull thus upping the manufacturers profits!!! just something to consider...

as for walmart they are using sky lights for lighting it does help by consuming energy but don't think they don't get something from it a lower electric bill!!! most large companies are not out per say for the "green" they have a bottom line to cut costs and make profits that is something we all need to remember.