2. As a consumer, would you make a conscious choice to shop only at stores that sell environmentally friendly products? Why or why not? When retail giant Walmart decided to make changes to the way it conducts business in an effort to be more environmentally friendly, critics and supporters alike could not have fathomed the effect it would have on their suppliers, employees, and consumers.

In 2005, Walmart unveiled an environmental plan that was designed to boost energy efficiency, cut down on waste, and reduce greenhouse gases. The decision to be environmentally friendly throws the burden back onto their suppliers, because Walmart closely monitors its overseas suppliers to make sure they meet social and environmental standards. More specifically, Walmart announced it would evaluate the suppliers not only on price but also on the environmental sustainability of their packaging.