In October 2005, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott outlined an ambitious vision for the future operations of the company focusing on becoming a good steward of the environment and local communities. He announced that the company’s long term environmental goals are: 1. To be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; 2. To create zero waste; and 3. To sell products that sustain our resources and environment. Short term goals included eliminating 30 percent of the energy used by stores.

Since then, Wal-Mart engineers have worked diligently to identify areas for potential energy savings. They have collaborated with suppliers to innovate solutions, tested new technologies and finalized proven designs to implement in corporate facilities.

One store system designated for an efficiency upgrade was the fluorescent lighting in refrigerated food cases, which burns 24 hours a day. Recently, LED lighting coupled with occupancy sensing controls was proven to provide the combination of energy savings, improved performance and reduced maintenance to justify incorporating a new design for refrigerator and freezer case lighting and controls into plans for all new stores. Because the energy savings are so significant, a program is also underway to retrofit cases in over 450 existing stores in 2007.