Wal-Mart Canada opens first environmental demonstration store

    New high-efficiency model to test innovative geothermal and daylight
    harvesting technology among other sustainable features

    BURLINGTON, ON, Jan. 16 /CNW/ - Wal-Mart Canada today announced the
opening of its first environmental demonstration store in Burlington, Ontario,
which features a first-of-its-kind application of geothermal technology in a
large-scale Canadian retail operation and energy-conserving lighting
innovations, among many other sustainable features.
    This year, Wal-Mart Canada will begin to roll out prototypical stores
that are 30 per cent more energy efficient. The new Burlington supercentre is
expected to use an estimated 60 per cent less energy than the company's
typical supercentre store and to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 141
tonnes. It is also expected to divert an estimated 85 per cent of its waste
from landfill through a variety of recycling programs.
    "We're determined to build the greenest stores on the block, and our
Burlington store puts us one step closer," said David Cheesewright, Wal-Mart
Canada's president and CEO. "We remain committed to being green, not only for
the good of the environment, but for the long-term sustainability of our
business. There's a tremendous opportunity to reduce our construction and
operating costs and to pass those savings on to our customers, who are looking
for lower prices now more than ever."
    "Wal-Mart continues to show its commitment to energy efficiency,
renewable energy and environmental sustainability," said Peter Love, Ontario's
Chief Energy Conservation Officer. "Demonstration stores like this one prove
that conservation and comfort can be brought together for the benefit of
shoppers and employees."

    Energy Efficiency

    The environmental demonstration store includes the following energy
efficient operations and features:

    -   First-of-its-kind demonstration of geothermal heating and cooling
        technology in a large-scale Canadian retail operation - facilitated
        by 15 km of piping buried under parking lot
    -   Daylight harvesting system using skylights to refract daylight
        throughout the store; light sensors monitor the amount of natural
        light available and rise, dim or turn off lighting as needed
    -   Store is powered 100% by renewable power sources like wind and low-
        impact water power through Bullfrog Power
    -   In-floor radiant heating and cooling system circulates water to
        transfer heat and cold instead of air vents, requiring less
        electricity
    -   Environmentally preferable CO2 refrigeration system
    -   Heat from refrigeration system captured and reused to heat store
    -   Energy-saving motion-activated LED lights in refrigerator and freezer
        cases reduces energy use
    -   Low-wattage parking lot lights as well as LED external signs reduce
        energy use
    -   White roof membrane deflects sunlight by an estimated 85 per cent to
        reduce heat gain in summer and demand on the electrical grid
    -   Increased insulation on the roof reduces heat and cooling loss

    Other Sustainable Features

    -   Low flow sinks, toilets and urinals
    -   Concrete floors, instead of carpet or tile, reduce excess materials
        and the need for harsh chemical cleaning products
    -   Close proximity to the Burlington GO train station and municipal bus
        system allows for easy access to store by public transit

    Construction

    Environmental sustainability was also an important part of the
construction phase. Up to 75 per cent of the store's construction waste was
diverted from landfill and the entire construction phase was powered by
renewable power sources through Bullfrog Power. The store was also built using
recycled, locally-sourced and low- or zero-VOC materials.

    Waste Diversion

    The Burlington environmental demonstration store has multiple waste
diversion streams including paper, plastic and organics. One innovative
diversion program recycles the store's polystyrene waste into fire-resistant
insulation used for commercial building. The store has a first-of-its-kind
customer recycling centre including streams for plastic bags and CFL light
bulbs.

    Environmentally Preferable Products

    The store offers customers hundreds of environmentally preferable
products ranging from organic produce, dry groceries and dairy to
environmentally preferable cleaning products and paper products.

    Wal-Mart Canada has three long-term environmental sustainability goals:
1. To be 100 per cent supplied by renewable energy; 2. To produce zero waste;
3. To provide environmentally friendly products to customers.

    About Wal-Mart Canada

    Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Wal-Mart Canada Corp. operates 316
retail outlets nationwide. The company's vision is to demonstrate
environmental leadership by reducing the ecological impact of its operations
through company-wide programs focused on waste, energy and products, as well
as outreach programs that preserve and enhance local environments.

For further information: Karin Campbell, corporate affairs, Wal-Mart
Canada, (905) 821-2111 x4042