Thu 30 Apr 2009
The Wal-Mart Aurora Experiment
Posted by Ken Atherton under Interesting Stuff, vacation
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A couple of years ago, Wal-mart made a decision to start evaluating sustainable technologies through two experimental stores. The goal is to look at lots of different technologies, find what works, and then roll those technologies out either in new stores or in retrofitted existing stores.
It just so happens that one of those two stores is located in Aurora, Colorado, not too far away from the hotel we stayed at our last night Colorado. And as we are wont to do, we stopped by to buy food for dinner.
The store is quite striking and very different from most Wal-marts that I’ve been into, although it’s clear that some of the innovations used in this store have already been rolled out to some other stores already.
Many of the changes are visible as soon as you enter the parking lot. Many of the signs and lights have their own solar panels, there is a wind powered generator out back, and the parking lot itself has an interesting drainage system designed to minimize runoff.
Inside the store, there are obvious changes. The store has far fewer lights than most Wal-marts, and in the daytime, most of the light is provided by a large number of sky lights. The ventilation system is impressive too. Most of the conduits are made of fabric, and instead of standard vents, there are tiny holes that distribute the air.
The refrigerator and freezer cases are lit with LEDs that turn off when no one is standing nearby. This innovation has made it to other stores as well, and give me an odd sense of importance when I’ve walked by them in the early mornings on occasion. It feels like the store springs to life as I walk by and then goes back to sleep after I’m gone.
I also noticed that the bathrooms are equiped with waterless urinals and use the infrared operated sinks that have started to pop up in other Wal-marts.
Obviously, Wal-mart is using this store as a major boost to their public relations. They have a fair amount of information available on their website about the store. The press kit is especially impressive. Much of what they’ve learned about sustainable technologies is also available on-line. I also found an interesting article about the store here. If you are interested in what sustainability might look like in the future, take a look at these sites. It’s really fascinating stuff.
