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September 9, 2006
Wal-Mart: Changing the World with Lightbulbs
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks | Filed under: Cause Marketing
Wal-Mart isn't exactly a corporate role model with its reputation for crushing small businesses, paying low wages and encouraging outsourcing so it can slash prices. But the giant retailer is working on that reputation by focusing on causes. They beat the government in passing out relief supplies after Hurricane Katrina and now they're turning their attention to the lightbulb.
The compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFLs for short) to be more specific, which uses 75-80% less electricity than conventional bulbs—a savings on your electric bill which covers the premium price in about five months—and can last up to a decade. Wal-Mart is pushing the bulbs in a partnership with manufacturer GE in an effort to save customers money, use less energy and create less trash in our landfills.
Wal-Mart jumped on the idea when someone did the math and realized Wal-Mart would save $6 million per year just by putting CFLs in their ceiling fan displays. You can read more about it in the Fast Company article, "How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take to Change the World?"
It's a simple example of how cause marketing isn't always about volunteers and donations. Businesses can support causes and support the bottom line. Everybody wins.
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Comments
Ready to make the leap to CFLs. Pledge and see the results add up!
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagid=483&campaign=mts&source=actioncenter
Posted by: Brett at October 25, 2006 4:29 PM