A Wal-Mart executive has a different twist on the retailer’s push for suppliers to adopt its RFID wireless tracking system — saying it can help the environment.

Wal-Mart has been pushing for expansion of RFID (radio-frequency identification) chips to help manage inventory, reduce theft and lower distribution costs, but has met critics on matters ranging from the cost of the technology to consumer privacy.

Wal-Mart has also been pushing several measures to help the environment, including calling on suppliers to cut down on packaging materials and by promoting sales of energy efficient light bulbs.

In a speech Monday, Wal-Mart Chief Information Officer Rollin Ford tied the two causes together.

“Our focus on using RFID to improve in-stocks for our customers means eliminating extra trips they may make to our store, or to others,” he said in a statement by Wal-Mart summarizing his comments.

“On a daily basis, more than 24 million people shop our stores. If 100,000 extra trips are avoided by having items in stock, we will save customers $22.8 million a year in gas savings and reduce greenhouse gases by 80,209 metric tons.

Does “green” finally mean “go” for RFID? 

Read the full Reuters story

(PHOTO: WalmartFacts.com)