Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has vowed to track the amount of energy used to make products throughout its supply chain and work with its suppliers to make the entire process more energy efficient.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer announced a partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project, Sept. 24. It will use CDP´s process to measure the amount of energy used during the procurement, manufacturing and distributing of the products it sells. Using the tool, Wal-Mart will initiate a pilot project with a group of suppliers to look for ways to streamline the supply process to make it more energy efficient.

"This is an important first step toward reaching our goal of removing nonrenewable energy from the products Wal-Mart sells," said John Fleming, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Wal-Mart Stores Division.

The pilot program will focus on seven product categories -- digital video discs, toothpaste, soap, milk, beer, soda and vacuum cleaners.

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