By Lena Babaeva Coradini

NPR had a good segment on as to how Wal-Mart is gauging green products as part of its efforts in going green.  As about 90 percent of Wal-Mart’s environmental footprint is outside of the company, in its supply chain, Wal-Mart now wants its suppliers to provide more details as to how they are running their businesses.  The text of the NPR segment notes:  

Wal-Mart now wants its 60,000 suppliers to provide details on everything from the energy they consume, to how the natural resources in their products are extracted. That information, along with how the items are used and disposed of, will be summarized on new product labels. Something Andrew Hutson of the Environmental Defense Fund calls a game changer.

Some note that this would be a problem and lead to green washing, others think a federal agency would be able to define “green” products better.  Overall, it will start a good discourse as to the holistic approach to running a business from both the side of Wal-Mart and the suppliers.  

Thanks to Ed Callaway for suggesting this entry.