Sustainability and Big Box Stores

Walmart, one of the many “big box” stores in the U.S has committed to investing 500 million dollars to reduce its carbon footprint through energy saving strategies. It promises to reduce 20 percent of its greenhouse gas emission in the next seven years. They plan to achieve this goal through sustainable construction practices, recycling and energy efficient mechanical systems.

Source:http://www.fastcompany.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/walmart-goes-green.htm

I think this is a positive step from a big box store that is often considered as one of the “evils” of sprawl. However, the question is can such big box stores be truly sustainable? Stacy Mitchell, a researcher with the Local Self Reliance Institute suggests in her article that an environment-friendly Walmart store is just impossible. [1] The move, she says, is a publicity stunt by the company, which is desperately trying to improve its image. The reasons being that Walmart stores are usually located in areas where consumers need to drive long miles to get to. This shopping related driving itself is a major contributor of CO2 emissions, an outcome that the store may never offset.

I think big box stores are a reality that won’t change in the near future, as they are very much part of the retail business structure in the U.S and changing the current model will take decades. So steps to make existing stores more sustainable should be welcomed. Other big box stores like Best Buy are working with USGBC to build eco stores that would adhere to LEED’s tough standards. [2]

However, development regulations for future big boxes must address the direct and indirect carbon output of such stores. Huge building footprints, acres of paved parking lots and walls that have no inlet for sunlight thereby requiring mechanical lighting throughout the day are some of the negative aspects of such stores that need to be addresses. Building footprints for such stores must be restricted; multilevel Walmart buildings with multilevel parking can work just as well. Cities must also improve public transit connectivity to such stores and encourage shoppers to use them.



Bibliography
1.“Keep Your Eyes on the Size”
http://www.grist.org/comments/soapbox/2007/03/28/mitchell/
2.“Electronics giant tackles new terrain: the eco-friendly big box”
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2007/08/13/focus3.html?b=1186977600%5E1504926