Sustainability

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced that is committing more than $2.5 million in grants to various projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. 

"We believe that when women achieve economic empowerment, their voices are also empowered," said Eduardo Solorzano, president and CEO of Walmart Latinoamerica. "So not only will they be able to create more stable futures for their families, they will play transformational roles in bettering the lives of women and children across Latin America."

Shareholders of Wal-Mart de Mexico elected three new female board members at the company’s annual meeting yesterday, bringing to six the number of women on the company’s eleven-member board.

The new members include Shelley Broader, chief merchandising officer of Walmart Canada, Olga Gonzalez, Walmart’s VP audit services for Latin America and Kristin Oliver, SVP people for the Walmart International division. Other women on the board include Cathy Smith, Blanca Trevino and Kristin Oliver.

Reducing the number of hours truck drivers are allowed to spend behind the wheel sounds like it would be a good idea to improve the nation’s roadways, but nothing could be further from the truth, according the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

The trade group is looking to defeat new rules proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that includes a provision that would reduce to 10 from 11 the number of hours drivers are allowed to drive before taking a 34-hour break.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of Mattel, will be presented the community leader award at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation's 65th Anniversary Gala. The recognition acknowledges Eckert’s leadership and ongoing commitment to shaping the development of generations of children, inspiring creativity and innovation and for demonstrating what's possible through a world of play, Mattel reported.

Nashville, Tenn. -- The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) announced that it has created a computer recycling program in partnership with the GEAR Foundation. The program, which recycles retailers’ computers that are less than four years old and have expired warranties, will immediately create jobs for physically and mentally challenged young adults as the computers are erased, refurbished, and resold.

Seattle -- Electric transportation technology provider ECOtality said Monday that it has partnered with grocer Fred Meyer, a division of The Kroger Co., to install car-charging stations at select stores in Oregon and Washington.

The Blink Level 2 Electric Vehicle Commercial Pedestal Charging Stations will also be installed on major transportation corridors between Seattle store locations and the United States border with Canada.

The deal makes Fred Meyer ECOtality’s first food retail partner in the Northwest.