Wal-Mart Wants To Use Greener Building Materials

Benton, AR, April 14, 2010--Wal-Mart said it is looking to make its stores more environmentally friendly.

Lee Scott, chairman of Wal-Mart's executive committee, speaking at Fortune's Brainstorm Green conference, said that the retailer was eyeing stores made of materials that easily revert back to the earth.

Wal-Mart is also looking to use more recycled materials in the construction process. The spokesman said the company currently uses rubber in store baseboards that is made partly from old diapers, steel containing recycled components and concrete composed of 20% fly ash, a byproduct of burning coal.

Wal-Mart, once vilified by environmentalists for its large ecological footprint, has recently been praised in the green community for its efforts, which include commitments to use 100% renewable energy, generating zero waste at its stores and requiring its suppliers to measure their greenhouse gas output.