Experimental

Wal-Mart's "McKinney Experiment"
Wal-Mart’s "McKinney Experiment" is an applied practice store. One of only two such stores in the country, the experimental Wal-Mart uses revolutionary materials, technology and processes to reduce the amount of energy and natural resources required to operate the store.

• Fly ash was used in place of lime, cement and crushed stone, which require energy to produce
• A wind turbine produces enough energy to reduce the store’s electricity consumption by approximately 5 percent
• Several types of shade structures cool parking lot surfaces
• Cooking and motor oil are reused to provide heat and hot water
• Skylights, more efficient lamps and dimmer lighting save nearly 300,000 kilowatt hours a year
• Pervious pavement and bioswales filter runoff water
• A rainwater harvesting and treatment system provides water needed for irrigation

El Dorado Motors
The store’s organic waste is hauled to a local commercial composting facility

El Dorado Motors opened a new Chevrolet facility in McKinney in 2002. During construction, the dealership was committed to being kind to the environment. This commitment continued in 2006 with the opening of a new environmentally-friendly Mazda building. El Dorado Motors has established themselves as a green leader in the community though education programs and involvement in Environment McKinney. The dealership also participates in the “Drive Clean Across Texas” and “Clean Texas” campaigns.

• Grounds employ drought-resistant, native Texas plants and landscaping materials.
• El Dorado Motors has donated 50 Live Oak trees to local businesses and golf courses.
• Clinics are provided to show customers how to properly check and change their oil. El Dorado Motors also offers to recycle used oil for residents who change it at home and is a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off point.
• The Chevrolet building was designed with extra-thick glass and insulation to reduce energy usage, infra-red metering systems to limit water usage, skylights and tiled ceramic tile.
• When the shop is mopped, residue is put into a container which skims the oil off before discharging the water into the sewer. Then the oil is recycled. All water used to clean shop floors is put though a sand trap to ensure no tainted water goes into the sewer.
• The Mazda building features a Solar Tube which reduces electricity usage by providing day lighting. Passive solar orientation and an extended roof line reduce solar heat and air conditioning expenses.
• Many of the materials used to build the dealership were recycled and non-toxic paints, sealants, glue and carpentry which do not emit ozone-destroying CFCs.