Green labeling at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart announced plans to develop a universal rating system for labeling the environmental sustainability of products, including all levels of production and distribution. The giant retailer is working with the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University and collecting data from its over 100,000 suppliers. The goal is to then have all retailers adopt the same system. The ambitious plan aims to inform consumers and, ultimately, compel the manufacture of more sustainable products. (NY Times, July 15, 2009)