Wal-Mart Set to Expand, Change Sustainable Packaging Program
By MaterialsHandling.Net Staff
Date Posted: 12/1/2008
The mega retailer with an eye toward green purchasing has decided to takes its eco friendly packaging program global. Wal-Mart Stores recently announced that it will expand the use of its Packaging Scorecard and sustainable campaign to international markets over the next two years.
The retail giant is taking a phased approach with Canada, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico coming onboard in fiscal first quarter of 2010, followed by Brazil, Central America, Japan, India in fiscal second quarter of 2010. Also, Wal-Mart has worked with the International Safe Transit Association, the leading authority on transport packaging issues, to develop standardized tests based on the real world distribution environment of Sam’s Club. Eventually, a similar effort will be rolled out to Wal-Mart in the hopes of reducing product damage while minimal packaging required.
Wal-Mart is changing the Scorecard software to take data from global sources to eliminate the need for rekeyboard data.
Amy Zettlemoyer-Lazar, packaging director of Sam’s Club and co-manager of the Wal-Mart Sustainability Value Network (SVN), said that several changes will be considered next month as executives meet to discuss the future of the program. This includes using actual recycled content values and recovery rates instead of industry averages and taking a closer look at country of origin for raw materials since the distance transported has major impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Other changes include shifting emphasis from reduction in greenhouse gas emissions instead of package weight and transitioning to higher levels of recycled content.
Wal-Mart’s Packaging Scorecard was first introduced in 2006 as part of the retailers effort to meet three sustainability goal – to be supplied by 100% renewable energy, to produce zero waste and to offer sustainable products to its customers.
Packaging is critical to the success of this campaign. Wal-Mart aims to reduce packaging on all products it offers by 5% by 2013. Wal-Mart’s focus has been on product packaging up to this point. Transport packaging, especially pallets and containers, remain an afterthought.
Sam’s Club packaging manager Robert Parvis, explained the company’s “sustainability scorecard,” has led to notable improvements in only two years.
Beyond packaging, the SVNs has focused on sustainable building, alternative fuels, logistics and other areas. According to the company, the collective efforts of various SVNs have made strides to improve energy use and efficiency, reduced and recycled waste, and increased introduction of environmentally friendly and organic products.
"Sustainability is about building a better business. We think it is essential to our future success as a retailer -- and to meeting the expectations of customers," said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Scott added that Wal-Mart will focus on meeting or exceeding social and environmental standards, driving innovation and efficiency and building stronger partnerships with suppliers, government and non-government organizations.
