Walmart Canada Corp. (Mississauga, Ont.) has opened its first environmental demonstration store in Burlington, Ont., featuring 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.
The Canadian division of the international retailing giant will begin to roll out prototypical stores throughout the country that are 30 percent more energy-efficient. The new Burlington supercenter is expected to use an estimated 60 per cent less energy than the company’s typical supercenter store and to reduce carbon emissions significantly. It is also expected to divert an estimated 85 percent of its waste from landfill through a variety of recycling programs. At 129,000 square feet, the Burlington store is significantly smaller than the average Canadian supercenter.
“We’re determined to build the greenest stores on the block, and our Burlington store puts us one step closer,” said president and ceo David Cheesewright. “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.”
The store includes: the first-of-its-kind demonstration of geothermal heating and cooling technology in a large-scale Canadian retail operation; a daylight harvesting system using skylights to refract daylight throughout the store; light sensors that monitor the amount of natural light available and rise, dim or turn off lighting as needed; renewable power sources like wind and low-impact water power; in-floor radiant heating and cooling system circulating water to transfer heat and cold instead of air vents, requiring less electricity; an environmentally preferable CO2 refrigeration system; heat from a refrigeration system that is captured and reused to heat store; energy-saving motion-activated LED lights in refrigerator and freezer cases; low-wattage parking lot lights as well as LED external signs; a white roof membrane that deflects sunlight by an estimated 85 per cent to reduce heat gain in summer and demand on the electrical grid; and increased insulation on the roof to reduce heat and cooling loss.
There are also low flow sinks, toilets and urinals and concrete floors that reduced the need for harsh chemical cleaning products. The store’s close proximity to a train station and municipal bus system allows for easy access to store by public transit.
The 316-unit retailer said it has three long-term environmental sustainability goals: 1. to be 100 per cent supplied by renewable energy; 2. to produce zero waste; and 3. to provide environmentally friendly products to customers.
Starting later this year, all new Walmart Canada stores will be 30 percent more efficient and, over the next four years, retrofits will make existing stores 20 percent more efficient.