Wal-Mart shoppers embrace eco trends

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Wal-Mart shoppers are making more eco-friendly choices when purchasing products, according to Wal-Mart's first update of its Live Better Index data. The Live Better Index found that an increasing number of customers are buying extended-life paper products, compact fluorescent light bulbs and organic milk.

Introduced in April, Wal-Mart's Live Better Index was designed to serve as an ongoing barometer of consumer attitudes and shopping behaviors.  One focus of the ongoing study is products and attitudes surrounding environmental issues.

The Live Better Index survey found that while 43% of Americans think they will be “extremely green” in the next five years, only 11% of Americans classify themselves as “extremely green” today. Wal-Mart said it has taken steps to help improve this number by offering  private-label Great Value CFLs, with the value price of four bulbs for the cost of three regularly priced brand name CFLs.