Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Wal-Mart Opens Eco-Efficient Hypermarket in Brazil

Wal-Mart Opens Eco-Efficient Hypermarket in Brazil

Published 12-08-08

Submitted by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Rio de Janeiro - December 2, 2008 - Wal-Mart Brazil will open its eco-efficient hypermarket tomorrow. In the Campinho district, north of Rio de Janeiro, the store gathers the largest number of sustainable initiatives the company has ever implemented in any of its buildings.

"This store is the result of an effort we have been developing since 2005, trying and introducing changes that contribute to the environment in our units. Many of them are permanent and used in several stores, regardless of the format. In Campinho, we gathered more than 60 of these initiatives. It is the first time a store of this size contemplates so many environment-related changes," says Héctor Núñez, president of Wal-Mart Brazil.

With total investments of R$52 million, part of which will be used for sustainable actions presented by the retailer, one expects to reduce energy consumption by at least 25% and water consumption by 40%. Although investments are a bit higher than at a conventional store, medium and long term savings are significant.

Wal-Mart Campinho joins economic, environmental and social performance, reduces the operational impact, rationally using raw materials, water, and energy, reduces the generation of residues and increases the reuse and recycling ratio of materials, as well as contributes towards a closer approach between the company and the public to which it is related.

From initiatives such as signs with LED lamps (more economical and durable), walls with Styrofoam plaques on the façade and the use of solar energy, to uniforms made of recycled PET bottles, posters made of recycled material and solventless ink, Wal-Mart Campinho is the proof sustainability can be replicated. Most actions are present in several stores and others in all of them. What's more, what is being implemented at this store can, and will, be used in buildings from now on.

"All Wal-Mart Brazil stores will be eco-efficient, in different levels, according to each unit's geographical and physical possibilities. The implemented solutions vary according to land features, unit location and type of store, but the challenge is to introduce as many initiatives possible and, then, strengthen the benefit of each change," Héctor says. "Some of them are not feasible for the client, but they have great environmental impact".

All employees have received training to understand each store's impact and, consequently, disclose such information to clients. Any person in Wal-Mart Campinho's staff is ready to show the interested public the unit's sustainable features. All associates have been trained at Akatu Institute on conscious consumption, just as more than 20,000 Wal-Mart employees all over Brazil. Furthermore, 100% of the store's leadership have gone through differentiated training on Solid Residues Management.

Social - Campinho was not randomly chosen. "Wal-Mart is committed to developing and improving life quality in the communities where it operates" Núñez affirms. Bringing the eco-efficient store to Campinho is a means of rectifying such guideline. The store generated 350 direct jobs, most of which for people who live around it. Furthermore, the population in the region will benefit from the company's social responsibility actions. In Rio de Janeiro, the Com. Domínio Digital project, supported by the Wal-Mart Institute, has already included 22% of its participants in several cities in the labor market.

The residues collected by the store's recycling station, part of the 'Wal-Mart Coca Cola Recycling Station' implemented in 235 stores in the Country, is geared towards garbage pickers cooperatives that work locally, contributing to income generation and social inclusion.

Store - Wal-Mart Campinho is located at Rua Ernani Cardoso, 350, on a 30 thousand square meter piece of land, 24 thousand sq. m. of which comprising the building and 6,000 sq. m. the sales area. In the parking lot, 385 parking spaces, 257 of which are covered. The store has 28 checkout counters and it is open from 7am to 10pm, Monday through Sunday.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. logo

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 200 million customers and members visit our 10,700 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmartgreen. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

More from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox