Environmental sustainability involves making decisions and taking action that are in the interests of protecting the natural world, with particular emphasis on preserving the capability of the environment to support human life.
Environmental sustainability has become an essential ingredient to doing business responsibly and successfully. As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart actions have the potential to save customers money and help ensure a better world for generations to come. They have set three inspirational sustainability goals:
- To be supplied 100% by renewable energy
- To create zero waste
- To sell products that sustain people and the environment
Walmart aims to increase the amount of post-consumer recycled content in primarily plastic-based products that span across categories in Home Management, Hardware, Lawn & Garden, and other areas.
Offering Products with Greener Chemicals: Walmart is working with suppliers to reduce or eliminate the use of priority chemicals used in consumables products in favor of greener alternatives. It will begin with household cleaning, personal care, beauty and cosmetic products, asking suppliers to transition to greener substitutes for priority chemicals.
Reducing Fertilizer Use in Agriculture: Walmart is requiring suppliers who use commodity grains, such as corn, wheat and soy in their products, to develop a fertilizer optimization plan that outlines clear goals to improve performance based on Index research. The company and its suppliers have the potential to reduce fertilizer use on 14 million acres of farmland in the U.S. by 2020.
Improving Energy Efficiency: The Index has uncovered the importance of energy efficiency in several product categories, such as televisions, plastic toys, small appliances and greeting cards. By working with suppliers to improve energy efficiency through the supply chain of these products, Index energy scores have already improved 23 percent in general merchandise categories. Walmart is now providing tools for suppliers to help track and reduce the energy used to produce these products.
Increasing the Use of Recycled Materials. Walmart aims to grow both the supply and demand for recycled plastics so they can be diverted from landfill and get a second life. The company is working with cities to increase plastic recycling and with suppliers to increase the use of recycled content and make packaging more recyclable. Changes in packaging are already being implemented in product categories such as beverage, over the counter drugs, dairy creamers and berry containers.
This is very pleasant as well as an inspirational move by Walmart.