Environmental sustainability is a perpetual phenomenon in the business world. Myriads of multinational corporations are embracing the idea of business conduct in the environmentally friendly way. This sustainability initiative aims at the reducing emissions, renewable energy and creating sustainable operations in the conduct. An imperative yet costly method of operation, some of the businesses across the world only have the blueprint that stipulate their method of initiating the endeavor. However Wal-Mart, a business icon across the globe, has unrelentingly taken upon environmental sustainability measures. These measures stem out from the parent company to the other retail stores across the globe. Zero waste, renewable resources and sustainable resources are the platforms to rolling out their plans. Consequently, this paper will detail analysis of these environmental sustainability projects within an ethical mandate, other sustainability efforts and a comparison of Wal-Mart with other retail stores in regards to plausible approaches that it can inculcate. Recommendation will focus on the approaches that Wal-Mart can incorporate towards ethical, environmental sustainability.
Firstly, after the launch of the environmental sustainability plans, Wal-Mart had made initiatives to meet the sustainability baseline that it had set. As per 2012, this multibillion-dollar retail store had made major steps in renewable resources plans. Firstly, the company is recognized as the largest on-site power generator. The reason for this recognition, as per Robert & Berg (67), is the fact its solar power initiative on 2007 has expanded to other places. These areas include Hawaii, Arizona, Puerto Rico and Colorado. These regions of expansion are just mere steps to the larger incorporation of renewable sources. In Wal-Mart Mexico, wind power steps to incorporate wind power and miniaturized hydropower were successful. Wind power generation is also spanning its wings to Wal-Mart stores in Brazil and India. These measures are aimed at making production and generation of power renewable. Additionally, the fleet of trucks within the year managed to transport 297 million cases. In this instance of transportation, the trucks managed to transport the cases in 11 million fewer miles. The fewer miles depict efficiency considering that over 130,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide was not released to the environment. This carbon emission reduction move is receiving applause and recognition from the government (Robert & Berg, 68).
On the other side, the zero waste initiative by Wal-Mart has taken major strides so far. The 80.9% reduction in landfill waste was an important upshot as per 2012. This news also catapults the previous baseline that they had set. As per last year, 38.1% reduction in waste was the overall achievement. This was way above 33.1%, which was set earlier. Other plans to reduce waste are the use reusable packaging (Robert & Berg, 67). In reference to Robert & Berg (67), it’s a form of packaging that has taken an explosive impact across the globe. Most of the Wal-Mart retail stores use this form of packaging. Secondly, in a major business partnership with the UK government and ASDA, plans to reduce food waste by more than 2000 tonnes are under way. Also, research on how the standard shelf life of milk will be increased is an initiative still in progress. This research into Milk life extension is bound to save the company over 11.5 million dollars that it uses in disposing of foods (Edwards, 59). This is not forgetting the fact that research on renewable oil and other sources of fuel are astounding. Astounding because, renewable oil that is obtained from animal fat and vegetable oil is on the trial stage (Edwards, 59). In the last year, Wal-Mart managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%. These low levels of emission were through the use of better refrigerators that use the spooling system, solar power, cost effective measures of supply and better fleets.
Furthermore, through the consortium forum of china, Wal-Mart entered a pact with them on how to implement and use better methods in sustainable resources. This measure intertwined with inventory maintenance; packaging efforts are to commend to the over 20% target that was attained on 2012.As a meeting of the over 100,000 suppliers, 22 million associates, were a major step in educating them on how to maintain ways of business conduct. Through the revamped 360 sustainable business project, each of the employees in the retail store is trained on ways of maintaining sustainable resources. This initiative in sustainable training and resource handling is bearing fruit. Also as per Bill Simmons, there was a 5% reduction in packaging. Also, the use of recyclable resources in packaging of the various products, such a toys, fruits, is getting government backing. In addition, ethics is a priority in the maintaining sustainable resources. The use of child labor and unfriendly environmental production practices are a reprimanded aspect in the Wal-Mart especially on the supplies. The sustainability index in judging and conducting business is a must when one wants to venture into a partnership with Wal-Mart. Hence, in collaboration with EPA and other government bodies, Wal-Mart is on the forefront to maintaining sustainable resources but still meeting the safety standards. They have the Spark System that is revolutionizing the industry. This Spark system ensures that food details are at the fingertips of the consumer before purchase. With that in mind, the fundamental targets of the Wal-Mart organization are taking a mercurial step to the ladder of success.
The tentacles of sustainability, in operation and other aspects of production, are taking root into other sectors. Through the exertions of Wal-Mart in other fields, sustainable efforts have taken shape. In the union with farmers, such as Chile, efforts to improve farming are already underway. Training, access to funds and sustainable methods of farming have improved the quality of production in most of the farming regions. Admittedly, in Brazil where cattle grazing grounds are reducing the Amazon, Wal-Mart took initiatives to inform and emphasis on the effects of cattle grazing on the environment. Added to this, in Brazil, this retail company uses only one supplier who has slaughterhouses and ranches that do not interfere with the Amazon. This is in light to the fact that trees are being cut to create a way for animals to graze. As another sustainable effort, palm oil production and demand is annihilating forests. Initiatives by Wal-Mart have reaped efforts in that the annual managerial meeting was held through Wal-Mart. These managers were solely from the oil palm production in which better ways of producing palm were discussed and initiatives drawn. These initiatives were aimed at reducing deforestation that’s depleting the ecosystem. Hence, as a business, Wal-Mart is revolutionizing various sectors in the sustainability approach.
Conversely, despite these initiatives are facing stiffer competition from other retail stores. Key competitor is the Home Depot that has taken sustainability steps through, environment conservation, sustainable working environment and reduced emissions. Firstly, as per last year, Home depot was ranked as a leader in low levels of carbon emissions (Stead, Stead & Starik, 20). This emission leader status was because, in the year 2011, fewer mileages in their fleets were at 200million miles less. This marked a reduction in the levels of emission by over 1400000 metric tons. This profound mark in terms of metric ton reduction in carbon emissions was accomplished. It was maven despite the fact that Home Depot still opened 13 more new stores across the country would have spelled more emissions from fleets and the store.
On the other facet of concern towards sustainability, home depot is on the forefront in ensuring USA forests are conserved. Over two decades, the forest cover in the USA is at over 18 million acres that cover the country. Home depot, which uses over 90% of its products from wood, is championing a forestation (Ferrell, John & Ferrell, 27). In its various stores, trees are evident. This measure is also cut across the board to the various associates of the company.
In addition, sustainability is being bred in the various stores of Home depot. This is in line with the fact that use of LED lighting, recyclable water system, carbon emission detectors and growing of trees are in action around the store. Correspondingly, in relation to McAlexander & Eric (90), it has reduced parking space is a measure to cut back on emission on the site has been taken. Added to this, the roofing and other materials are obtained locally. Continuously, the Home Depot was recognized as a pioneer in introducing the CFL bulbs. While, not forgetting the rechargeable batteries. This measure of using rechargeable batteries and CFL bulbs is constantly reducing emissions in the store and even to the customers that purchase the products (McAlexander & Eric, 90). Accordingly, these measures are mainly aimed at creating a sustainable environment to the employees at the Home Depot (McAlexander & Eric, 90). Lastly, most of the electronic products sold by the Depot have the Energy star mark. This brand ensures or assures the millions of customers that the products are efficient and reduces emissions once in use.
Lastly, as a main campaigner to the sustainable use of water, recycling is an aspect that is intertwined in the store. Additionally, in collaboration with the EPA, Home depot is spearheading the sensible use of water campaign. The water conservation initiative is aims at emphasizing to the public on how to, effectively and sustainably use water in the various homes. Hence, as a competitor to Wal-Mart, their initiatives are causing shockwaves to them.
Hence, from the two retail stores, many of the pundits are posing major questions as to the objectives of the Wal-Mart sustainability efforts. The questions are mostly in reference to the level in which they aimed at resource management, regulation issues, reputation and resource. Hence, a keen discussion onto this query is important.
On the first question, resource management is of high importance when it comes to reducing food waste. This sustainability effort that seeks to address the tonnes of foods that go to waste, as stated is essential to minimize the millions of dollars that Wal-Mart losses. These losses are due to food rotting in its warehouses and shelves that are very perishable (Edwards, 39). Investment to research into methods of how to increase shelf life of products such as milk, cakes and so forth is taking over $15million of Wal-Mart resources. As a slice of the sustainability efforts, this issue is more resource based.
Secondly, carbon emission sustainability plan is a more regulation initiative. This is because, the government is crunching numbers and making sure that the various companies pay in full in terms of emissions. Thus as a company, the magnifying glass of the government is keen on them when it comes to carbon emissions.
Thirdly, the initiative to use better means of packaging are more recycle based. This is due to the fact that recycling endeavors have taken shape in the various companies on the global scene. Use of different materials in packaging that are biodegradable is a novel idea that embeds itself in other retailer stores. Hence, the plan to use packaging that one can use perpetually is a good ploy to show that they are also in the recycling maneuver.
Lastly, the world is at loggerheads when it comes to deforestation, use of child labor and preservation of the environment (Niesing, 57). As a business, the thought of having links with suppliers that use forest land and child labor, is a reputation suicide. Accordingly, businesses that have ties to use of child labor face major reproach and litigation cases when it comes to limelight (Niesing, 57). The use of labor may be indirectly or indirectly. Accordingly, losses and customer backlash is just a fraction of the storm that the businesses face. Hence, the sustainability index that Wal-Mart uses when sourcing their suppliers is a move to maintain its reputation.
Conclusion
All in all, Wal-Mart is taking the gigantic strides in environmental sustainability measures. These prudent strides as compared to Home Depot outshine it in some instances. Hence despite the focus of these efforts, whether regulation, recycle, reputation or resource based, the efforts require applause. These initiatives are a true reflection of the majestic status of Wal-Mart worldwide.
Works Cited
Edwards, A. R. Thriving beyond sustainability: Pathways to a resilient society. New York: New Society Publishers.2010.
Ferrell, O. C., John, F., & Ferrell, L. Business ethics, 9th ed.: Ethical decision making and cases. Connecticut: Cengage learning.2011.
McAlexander, J. A., & Eric, H. The business of sustainable forestry: J. Sainsbury plc and the home depot u. k./u. s.. Washington DC: Island Press.2008
Niesing, R. Culture in relation to walmart. Munich: Grin Verlag.2011
Robert, B., & Berg, N. Wal-Mart: Key insights and practical lessons from the world's largest retailer. New York: Kogan Page Publishers.2012
Stead, W. E., Stead, J. G., & Starik, M. Sustainable: Strategic management. New York: M.E Sharpe Publishers.2012
