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Consumers
Wal-Mart introduced its Live Better Index to help customers save money and “live better.”
The index is a barometer of consumer attitudes and shopping behaviors.
“Wal-Mart is uniquely positioned to be a barometer for America because of its scale, store
locations, and affordable prices,” said Stephen Quinn, Wal-Mart chief marketing officer.
“The Live Better Index allows us to keep a pulse on what’s important to our customers
so we can continue to bring them unbeatable value on the products they want.”
Wal-Mart has identified five everyday products to serve as nationwide trend indicators
for the launch of the Live Better Index:
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
• Organic milk
• Concentrated/reduced-packaging liquid laundry detergents
• Extended-life paper products
• Organic baby food
As a result of the study, Wal-Mart hopes to examine the products and attitudes
surrounding environmental issues. The products the company is tracking were chosen
because consumers make a conscious decision to purchase them for their environmental
friendliness and potential for cost savings, versus conventional versions of the same
products.
The items are also popular purchases in all store locations across the United States, so it
allows Wal-Mart to have an apples-to-apples comparison of the entire country.
The Live Better Index is constantly changing and can be found at www.livebetterindex.com,
also Link 10-3.
Figure 10-2 shows the Live Better Index.

Employees PART IV
Wal-Mart introduced Personal Sustainability Projects (PSPs) to its employees. PSPs are not
necessarily work related, but rather efforts by Wal-Mart employees to be more environmentally
responsible.
As of September 2007, associates have reported that they’ve voluntarily

• Recycled 675,538 pounds of aluminum
• Recycled 282,476 pounds of glass
• Recycled 5,953,357 pounds of paper and cardboard
• Recycled 3,177,851 pounds of plastic
• Walked, biked, and swam more than 1,109,421 total miles
• Lost a total combined weight of 184,315 pounds

What’s more, 19,924 associates say they have quit or reduced smoking. Associates also
state that they have shared the PSP program with 375,824 of their friends, family, and
community members outside of Wal-Mart. The program extends beyond the associates’ own
efforts. They are encouraged to work in teams to undertake projects in their communities.