BENTONVILLE, Ark. - April 13, 2009 - According to a recent study ¹ , only 41 percent of Americans cited protecting the environment as a top priority, down from 56 percent last year. However, in a time where every penny counts, Walmart is redoubling its efforts to prove there doesn’t have to be a trade-off between caring for the environment and watching your wallet.

"At Walmart, we are broadening and accelerating our commitment to bring Earth-friendly living to everyday life, and recognize the importance of offering these choices at budget-friendly prices," said Matt Kistler, senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart. "At a time when shoppers around the world are watching every penny, this is the time to save money and save the planet "“ two goals that work together."

In its second consecutive year, Walmart's Earth Month (April 2009) is bigger than before and Walmart makes it easy and affordable for its 200 million shoppers in the U.S. to make choices that can have a positive impact on the health of our planet. In celebration of Earth Month, here are a few ways in which Walmart is helping shoppers make eco-friendly choices at budget"“friendly prices:

• In addition to more than 500 Earth-friendly products available at Walmart stores and online at www.walmart.com/green, during April 2009, ten products that are less than $10 are being featured, including the following items exclusive to Walmart:
  • Earth Tees ($4 to $6 each): Available exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com, these 100 percent organic cotton t-shirts are available in sizes for the entire family.
  
  
  • 10-Pack Recycled Hangers ($1.25): These clothes hangers are made from 100 percent resin from various sources, including apparel hangers from Walmart stores.
  
  
  • Walmart Reusable Bag ($1.00): These bags are made from 85 percent recycled content and hold more than twice the amount of an average plastic bag. In addition, Walmart can recycle each bag at the end of its life cycle.
  
  
• For a complete list of the featured 10 products in the U.S. that are less than $10, please visit http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Walmart-972589.html.


• At walmart.com/green, shoppers can learn tips for saving money while caring for the planet, and interact with other Walmart shoppers by submitting suggestions for easy ways to go green.


• In addition to a national television advertising campaign, Walmart is supporting Earth Month 2009 with online banner advertisements that demonstrate in a fun, unique way the impact that certain eco-friendly products can have if all 200 million Walmart shoppers in the U.S. purchased them.

Helping shoppers save money on Earth-friendly products is just one of the many ways Walmart is committed to the environment. As part of its ongoing efforts, Walmart has set numerous environmental goals, including the following:

• To cut plastic bag waste by one-third by 2013, which is estimated to eliminate more than 135 million pounds of plastic waste globally.


• To work with suppliers to reduce packaging in its supply chain by five percent by 2013, which could prevent millions of pounds of trash from reaching landfills and could stop 667,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere "“ the equivalent of taking 213,000 trucks off the road each year.


• To double the efficiency of its private hybrid and alternatively-fueled trucking fleet by 2015, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fuel use.

• In Mexico, Walmart is adding wastewater treatment plants to all new stores and retrofitting existing stores.


• Walmart stores in the United Kingdom now divert 65 percent of store waste from the landfill.


• Walmart China has financed the installation of solar panels for 322 households in the Panjiabang Village in Jiaxing Zhejiang Province.

¹According to a 2009 Pew Research Center for People & the Press study

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.

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