May 2 2008
Wal-Mart de Mexico opened Plaza Ecologica Ciudad Jardin, located in former Neza 1 dump, in the municipality of Netzahualcoyotl, State of Mexico. The mall has state-of-the-art technology to save energy and water. With an investment amounting to $640 million pesos, this is the first ecological shopping center in Mexico, and will generate 3,500 permanent jobs.
"We've turned an ecological liability, like the former Neza dump, into a social, urban and economic asset whose benefits will be enjoyed by Ciudad Netzahualcoyotl families. Wal-Mart de Mexico confirms its Social Responsibility and Sustainability efforts through actions such as these to contribute towards improving the quality of life of Mexican families," said Raul Arguelles, Sr. VP of Corporate Affairs and People for Wal-Mart de Mexico.
A significant aspect stemming from the new mall -- part of the urban Ciudad Jardin Bicentenario project -- was the cleaning of 109-hectare Neza 1 dump which in the past stored over 15 meters of garbage -- to set the foundations for Sam's Club and Wal-Mart Supercenter.
In order to clean the dump over 208,000 cubic meters of garbage were extracted. Garbage was moved to Tultitlan sanitary fill to be used to create energy using the bio-gas burning process. Also, some three tons of ashes and lime were injected to stop the decomposing process and the generation of methane gas to create a more stable surface for the units.
Additionally, Ciudad Jardin Ecological Mall has leading sustainable technology to save energy, reduce water consumption and recycle wastes.
Among its water saving systems are the following: treatment plants to water plant life and wash yards, the use of mulch in flower-boxes, rain water reutilization, and waterless ecologic urinals. Also, units are fitted with fiber optic and LED systems to optimize lighting to save energy, and reuse refrigeration heat, shrink wrap and cardboard.