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C a s e S t u d i e sa s e S t u d i e s
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210 P P a r t I V : a r t I V : C

Energy Efficiency
In its experimental stores, Wal-Mart has taken a number of steps to improve its energy
efficiency:

• LED lights are used in exterior signs as well as internal grocery, freezer, and jewelry
cases. These have proven to use less electricity and last longer.
• Skylights and clerestories were built to direct natural light inside the stores. Dimming
controls were installed to monitor the natural light and adjust the lights in the store
accordingly.
• Evaporative cooling was installed in the Aurora store, which uses water sprayed
into the air stream to cool the air as it evaporates.
• Air distribution system ducts are mounted 11 feet above the ground to distribute air
closer to the floor. This system results in a reduced amount of energy needed to cool
the store.
• A portion of the heating for the stores uses recovered cooking oil and motor oil,
burned via a bioboiler, to heat water used in a radiant heating system. Heat recovered
from the refrigeration racks is also used.
• New refrigeration display cases were installed in the Aurora store. These refrigeration
cases have doors and use state of the art technology. The doors reduce air infiltration
in the case, thus reducing electricity usage.

Although Wal-Mart has racked up some wins for its energy-efficiency measures,
the stores have not been a complete success. There have been problems with the stores’
solar panels and windmills, which requires them to still use fossil fuels. The company
continues to work on these issues, however, which is the point of having such stores.

Water Conservation
Another effort that Wal-Mart set out to study with its experimental stores has been a reduction
in water usage. Some of their achievements include:
• Since April 2006, the McKinney store has used approximately 85 percent less water for
irrigation, compared to a conventional Wal-Mart. This decrease can be linked to
the native, drought-tolerant plants used in landscaping as opposed to water-intensive
lawns, and using drip irrigation instead of sprinklers.
• Native grasses and trees were planted to reduce water needed for irrigation.
• Waterless urinals were installed in the men’s restrooms. The urinals were designed
to save 1 to 3 gallons of water per use.
• Pervious pavement and/or concrete were used at both stores to assist with draining
water from the parking lots. This pavement allows water to percolate through
the pavement system and into the groundwater system.

Waste
Wal-Mart has also dealt with the sundry forms of waste generated at its stores through different
measures, including the following:

• Food waste was reduced by composting spoiled items from the produce, deli, meat,
and dairy departments. The compost is then available for Wal-Mart customers to buy.