Wal-Mart takes green approach to detergent

Retail giant to offer only concentrated kind that cuts back packaging

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updated 12:50 p.m. ET Sept. 26, 2007

BENTONVILLE, Arkansas - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Wednesday it will sell only concentrated liquid laundry detergent in the United States, a move the world's biggest retailer says will save millions of pounds of packaging each year.

Wal-Mart said its stores account for 25 percent of liquid laundry detergent sales and that its effort will save 400 million gallons of water, 95 million pounds of plastic and 125 million pounds of cardboard. The company would also save fuel by transporting less mass.

Wal-Mart has emphasized sustainability as a way to be environmentally friendly and cut costs.

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