Wal-Mart Brands Its Green Strategy†

Retailer to Unveil Energy-Saving Line Of Own Light Bulbs

Wall Street Journal, September 20, 2007 — One of the biggest U.S. proponents of energy-saving, compact-fluorescent light bulbs will double its bet on the technology as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. unveils its own line of the spiral-shaped bulbs under one of its in-house brands.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer by sales, plans for its Great Value CFL bulbs to cost less than brand-name bulbs, pricing a pack of four bulbs at $7.58, or roughly the price of a three-pack of brand-name bulbs. The Bentonville, Ark., retailer intends to stock its bulbs in 3,000 — or nearly three-quarters — of its U.S. stores this month. It is expected to announce its plan today.

Hotel Chains Grapple With Meaning of Green†

Marriott, Starwood Face Confusing Products, Standards In Bids to Make Lodging Environmentally Friendly

Wall Street Journal, September 11, 2007 — As director of Element, a brand of environmentally conscious hotels being developed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts World Wide Inc., Nicholas Lakas picks his way across a landscape of so-called green products each time he steps into his office.

Among the items: salt and pepper shakers billed as 100% recyclable; piles of towels and sheets made with organically grown fibers; boxes of organic snacks; and a countertop slab made from recycled materials.

"We get so many products, so many phone calls," Mr. Lakas says. "I have nowhere to put it, and we are always looking at it and evaluating it." He is shopping for environmentally friendly products — from plates and light bulbs to heating and air-conditioning systems — to be used in the first hotel in the... continue reading

Working With the Enemy

Once the youngest president of the Sierra Club, Adam Werbach used to call Wal-Mart toxic. Now the company is his biggest client. Does the path to a greener future run through Bentonville?

Fast Company, September 1, 2007 — “To this day, they won't speak to me," says Adam Werbach. His clients--or rather, his old clients--fired him when word got out last year that he was doing work for Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT). Of course, many people make compromises to do business with the largest company in the world--accept lower profit margins, absorb relentless performance pressure. But for Werbach, 34, a lifelong environmentalist, the cost of working with Wal-Mart has been personal. Some of his old friends don't speak to him. His former colleagues think he's sold out.

How "Green" Is That Water?

A close look at one company's claims of "carbon neutrality" points to problems for the industry

BusinessWeek, August 13, 2007 — Bottled water is under fire. Environmental groups recently have pointed out that a flourishing industry that sells its product with "green" images of snowcapped mountains and pristine spring lakes in fact contributes substantially to global warming. Making, filling, and shipping billions of plastic bottles generates huge amounts of carbon dioxide emissions: 8.4 million tons last year in the U.S. alone, equivalent to 2.2 million cars on the road, according to the Pacific Institute, a research group in Oakland, Calif. Separately, some major brands have come in for criticism because the water they sell is equivalent to what comes out of most taps.

Do 'Green' Appliances Live Up to Their Billing?†

Energy-Efficient Devices Flood Market, but Some Owners Find Results Fall Short of Promises

Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2007 — Jeanine Van Voorhees wanted to do her part for the environment when she bought a $1,000 energy-saving washing machine. But her clothes came out covered in cat hair and her whites were dingy. She resorted to washing some loads twice.

"I curse that machine every time," says Ms. Van Voorhees, a retired nurse practitioner from North Tonawanda, N.Y.

Amid concerns about energy consumption, Americans are increasingly encouraged to buy energy-efficient appliances. But while some of the latest products can offer significant energy and water savings, they can be double the price — or have kinks that can result in clothes and dishes needing to be washed twice.

'Green Teens' Make Desirable Marketing Targets, Study Finds

MediaPost Publications, July 31, 2007 — TEENS WHO CARE ABOUT THE environment aren't just socially aware. They are also a desirable ad/marketing target, says a new JupiterResearch report. The company obtained questionnaires from 2,091 online users ages 13 to 17 and found 38% of teens online are concerned about the environment, with 15% constituting an especially committed group of "Green Teens."

Green Clothing Maker Indigenous Designs Puts Fashion First†

Do-Good Message Is Subtle as Firm Attracts Retailers

Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2007 — Indigenous Designs Corp. prides itself as a truly green supplier. Its women's clothing is made from all-natural, sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, silk and alpaca. It adheres to strict fair-trade manufacturing practices overseas, runs its U.S. corporate office on solar power and encourages employees to bike to work.

But all that feel-good stuff isn't what the Santa Rosa, Calif., company pushed when it met with executives from the Dillard's Inc. department-store chain at a trade show earlier this year. Instead, the apparel maker talked up fashion, design, and price — mentioning the organic and fair-trade chit only as an extra bonus.

The bandwagon comes in various hues of green†

Financial Times, July 14, 2007 — It is now possible to pay for your organic food with a green credit card, to live in the tree house of your dreams thanks to green mortgages, and put all your hard-won lucre from saving the planet into a green bank account. Extreme, perhaps, but recently launched financial products now make it very easy for savers and spenders alike to feel they are doing their bit for the environment.

Say ‘Hybrid’ and Many People Will Hear ‘Prius’

One reason for the success of the Toyota Prius may be that buyers want everyone to know they are driving a hybrid

New York Times, July 4, 2007 — A riddle: Why has the Toyota Prius enjoyed such success, with sales of more than 400,000 in the United States, when most other hybrid models struggle to find buyers?

One answer may be that buyers of the Prius want everyone to know they are driving a hybrid.

At Home Depot, How Green Is That Chainsaw?

Some environmentalists say that Home Depot is being too inclusive in its new Eco Options marketing campaign

New York Times, June 25, 2007 — Home Depot sent a note a few months ago to the companies that supply the 176,000 products it sells, inviting them to make a pitch to have their products included in its new Eco Options marketing campaign.

More than 60,000 products — far more than obvious candidates like organic gardening products and high-efficiency lightbulbs — suddenly developed environmental star power.