Walmart is creating a buzz in the environmental news scene, but not for the usual reasons of questionable practices or greenwashing. This time the corporation is getting attention for its relatively newfound focus on sustainability.

 

Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in 1962 in Roger, Ark. By 1968, Missouri and Oklahoma were home to the first stores outside Arkansas. Walmart became incorporated in 1969 and reached sales of over $40 million by 1970. The discount store's market prominence has only increased since the early years; in 2005, sales were more than $300 billion.

 

While this Arkansas native has been infamous for its somewhat questionable practices in the past, MNN and Atlantic Monthly have also noticed changes in recent business practices. MNN named Walmart one of its 10 eco-friendly retailers, and Atlantic published an article comparing groceries purchased at Walmart to those purchased at Whole Foods in its March 2010 issue ("The Great Grocery Smackdown" by Corby Kummer). Both sources are supportive of the corporation's new initiatives.

Walmart has several new projects that could drastically change its place in the market and also substantially improve its reputation amongst the environmentally concerned. Two prominent ideas are the Heritage Agriculture program and a worldwide sustainability index. 

 

Heritage Agriculture: Heritage Agriculture encourages local farmers to grow crops that would have normally been shipped from several states away. An example given by Kummer in his Atlantic article refers to apple orchards that once thrived in Rogers, Ark., but are now a large part of Washington's economy. Cabbage, greens and melons are also examples of major Arkansas cash crops of the past. Their growing regions have now shifted and, instead, Arkansas grows tomatoes and grapes. Heritage Agriculture supports the reestablishment of these crops within the state. They could be produced close to a major Walmart distribution center and possibly supplement or entirely replace those that require high shipping costs and more time. 

 

Kummer also compares the quality of Walmart produce to that of Whole Foods. He organized two identically prepared meals — one only with Walmart ingredients, one with only Whole Foods ingredients. The taste-testing resulted in mixed reviews but showed that Walmart is not lagging far behind Whole Foods in many areas. Overall, Walmart carries its products at lower prices and provides organic or locally grown goods to populations that would otherwise have limited access. 

 

Sustainability index: Walmart's website lists a more sustainable operation as one of its top priorities. It goes on to describe the company's commitment to the creation of a sustainability index that will provide its customers with more knowledge about the product they are purchasing. The index could work to encourage customers to make more informed, sustainable decisions.

 

Walmart will introduce the index in three phases. 

Walmart has quite the reputation to battle but it does seem like efforts towards a more responsible and sustainable operation are being made. From personal experience, Walmart does often serve as the only, or one of the few, retailers in rural areas. For many, the discount store is the primary source of groceries and other household items simply because there are no other options available. If the store focused more on sustainability, it could be a great help to these areas. 

 

However, with Walmart's relatively sketchy past when it comes to social and environmental welfare, can it a make a permanent change? Is this just another scheme to increase sales, or is the corporation looking to become a part of this progressive movement?

 

I think it's still up to the customer. We all have to take responsibility for our purchases and, in order to feel fully comfortable, must do our own research. I do, however, think Walmart's new programs could be beneficial to areas without other shopping options, even if the lack of choice in these areas can at least partially be attributed to Walmart's past actions. A greater emphasis on sustainability on behalf of Walmart could allow more people to take part.