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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Wal-Mart Plans Eco-Rating Labels

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(Newser) – Wal-Mart plans to begin asking suppliers to provide info on the environmental impact of their operations so the store can put so-called green rating labels on its products, the Wall Street Journal reports.The first cards probably won't appear for a few years, but given Wal-Mart's clout as the world's biggest retailer, the move could have a profound effect on the entire industry. Some say it could mean higher prices as well.

The rating system—Wal-Mart appears to be trying to get out in front of any government regulations—could backfire if information is presented as mere “eco-babble” opaque to consumers, the Journal notes. But one Wal-Mart adviser, a professor, thinks the program is revelatory. Even carbon-neutral products can be “detrimental to human health in other ways,” he said. “So you have to look comprehensively at what sustainability really means, and that is what Wal-Mart is trying to do here in a very big way.”

Shoppers leave a Wal-Mart store in Danvers, Mass.
Shoppers leave a Wal-Mart store in Danvers, Mass.   (AP Photo)
A cashier bags purchases at a Wal-Mart store in the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles.
A cashier bags purchases at a Wal-Mart store in the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
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7 comments
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surlyotter
Jul 15, 09 6:26 PM CDT
The fact that this article has to say that "even carbon-neutral products can be "detrimental to human health in other ways" shows the extent to which the climate debate dominates the environmental discourse to the detriment of all. I'm not saying it's not important, but NO DUH carbon-neutral products can be harmful in myriad ways, whether to human health, to ecosystem integrity, to a given group of animals, etc, etc, etc... Reply
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+4
Snowleopard
Jul 15, 09 7:27 PM CDT
props to wal-mart for doing this without being forced to do so. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
JonmarkP
Jul 16, 09 12:31 AM CDT
Screw Wal-Mart, there is NOTHING they can do that would impress me favorably. They screw their workers, their suppliers, their clientele and the communities where they build their stores.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
OrganicTea
Jul 16, 09 9:13 AM CDT
I'd have to agree with JonmarkP on this, they are a terrible corporation. That being said, if they do push this through in a meaningful fashion, it will have an impressive impact. While I will probably never shop there again, I would be delighted to see this programme actually go through as it will put a lot of pressure on other retailers to do similar programmes.
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+1
OWLWOMANXXXX
Jul 15, 09 7:55 PM CDT
now if we can get people to stop using so many plastic bags Reply
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+5

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