- In August of 2005, Wal-Mart paid 1.5 million dollars in penalties for storm water violations in Connecticut.
- In 2004 Wal-Mart paid 3.1 million dollars for violating the Clean Water Act.
- Later in the year Wal-Mart paid 400,000 dollars to settle violations of the Clean Air Act. —Source: www.walmartwatch.org
- “Rainforest Relief is calling for consumer action against Wal-Mart for distributing furniture made of precious wood from endangered old-growth forests. Wal-Mart stores carry three brands of outdoor furniture built using nyatoh, a tropical hardwood that has increased in demand due to global crackdowns on teak harvesting. Nyatoh comes from ecologically sensitive rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia that are in danger of disappearing forever. Rainforest Relief is asking consumers to call and email Wal-Mart, to request the company to stop purchasing furniture containing endangered tropical hardwoods.” —Source: Rainforest Relief www.rainforestrelief.org/Campaigns/Outdoor_Furniture/Wal_mart.html
- OTOH, Wal-Mart apppears to be moving fast and hard on greening of products and supply chains, as well as stores—and a major (and mixed blessing) move into organic food. Not clear yet what they’ll doing about employee relations and Main St USA, but by all accounts I hear they seem serious; I wouldn’t dismiss them too early based on the ir history. (See http://www.natlogic.com/resources/nbl/v15/n02.html) – GF
