The award recognizes a company that Waste News editors believe made the most environmental progress in the way it operated in business in 2005.

Waste News cited Wal-Mart’s green building projects, its plastics recycling program and its pledges to reduce waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions as some of the reasons for bestowing the honor on Wal-Mart.

``While some companies like Wal-Mart have taken dramatic steps to recognize how sound environmental management can enhance their business model, not everyone has seen the light," said Glen Stout, Waste News vice president and publisher. "We hope an award like ours will bring more attention to sustainable business and cause companies and governments to see if investing in green business practices makes sense for them too.’’

Waste News presented the Environmental Award to Wal-Mart officials today at the Byproducts Beneficial Use Summit in Philadelphia. The fourth annual summit is a two-day conference sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Waste News.

General Electric and Toyota were finalists for the Waste News award. GE launched its Ecoimagination project this year, which calls for investing $1.5 billion by 2010 in cleaner technologies. Toyota is the leader in hybrid auto sales and set ambitious goals to reduce waste generation and increase vehicle recycling.

Officials representing more than 50 companies nominated their companies for the Environmental Award. Waste News editors nominated other businesses that they felt deserved consideration.

An article detailing Wal-Mart’s 2005 environmental initiatives will appear in the Dec. 5 issue of Waste News.