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The world’s biggest retailer announced the opening of its first sustainable refrigerated distribution centre in Balzac (Alerbert, Canada) for later this year. One of the sustainable features will be an ammonia refrigeration system.

On 10 February 2010, Walmart Canada invited 300 of Canada's largest corporations, NGOs, academics and government leaders to a Green Business Summit in Vancouver.

Walmart Canada used the occasion to announce a $115 million investment in the construction of a sustainable distribution centre that would be 60% more energy efficient than other Walmart distribution centres in North America.

Business profit through sustainability

"We've set the ambitious goal of building the most sustainable distribution centre possible, while at the same time delivering a compelling return on investment," said Andy Ellis, Senior Vice-President of Supply Chain for Walmart Canada. "The centre will be a living lab that demonstrates sustainable operations, products and technologies, while showing that environmental sustainability can go hand-in-hand with business sustainability."

Some of the distribution centre's sustainable features will be:

• The leading-edge refrigeration system will reduce its energy needs and use ammonia instead of more harmful refrigerants.
• The water treatment process in the refrigeration system will be chemical-free. 
• The company building will be heated during winter months with the waste heat from the refrigeration system.
• Hydrogen fuel cells will be implemented in the entire material-handling fleet.
• Solar and wind energies will be used to power the centre.
• Low-energy solid-state (LED) lighting will be used exclusively.
• The need for artificial light will be reduced by solartubes (TM) on the roof of the building over the office spaces. These will take advantage of the natural light and reflect it into interior spaces.

Job creation through sustainability

The construction of the centre will create an estimated 1,400 jobs in construction and trade, with 600 permanent jobs once the centre is completed. The Walmart Sustainable Distribution Centre is scheduled to open in autumn 2010.