Daylight harvesting? Composite fly-ash flooring? Personal-sustainability projects for employees? Doesn't sound like the Wal-Mart that has taken a beating from community activists and environmentalists alike for the past decade. But believe it: Wal-Mart has taken on sustainability with a zeal that has turned some of its most vocal critics into allies. There's no telling what the company will do next. Back in 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Wal-Mart set an example. The retail behemoth leveraged its widespread presence and highly efficient supply chain to support hurricane relief efforts.

It donated cash and resources, and implemented relocation strategies for stranded employees in the absence of other public and private leadership. In fact, Wal-Mart surprised many with its broad vision and its use of power and money for...well, for good. Now, Wal-Mart hopes to repeat that performance-this time, with a message of sustainability.

At the end of 2005, chief executive H. Lee Scott laid out three long-term goals for the company: to derive 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources; to create zero waste; and to sell quality, low-cost, eco-friendly products.

Here are a few things the company is doing:

• The energy powering Wal-Mart's thousands of locations around the United States isn't coming from renewable sources yet. But select outlets are using daylight harvesting-a system in which sensors react to the amount of natural light streaming in and adjust the levels of artificial light accordingly. Outfitted with motion detectors, entire freezer sections are kept in the dark until someone roams their aisles. And lighting fixtures on display are fitted exclusively with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

• Thinking big but promoting small, Wal-Mart has worked with suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging used for products such as laundry detergent. By doing so, the company is reducing the amount of plastic and cardboard waste from packaging, as well as cutting down on the water used in its manufacture and on the number of trucks (and carbon emissions) needed to transport the bottles.

• Wal-Mart has commissioned the research group Global Insight to complete a Live Better Index report, outlining the advantages of greener living and breaking down the typical Wal-Mart customer's savings by household, by product purchases, and, soon, by state.

• Finally, the chain is pushing organic and energy-efficient products, such as organic cotton baby clothing, CFLs, and Energy Star-rated appliances.

For more information, check out Wal-Mart's green page, which features facts, tips, and shopping links to green products.

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