We don’t want to sit back. We want to lead. That’s the Walmart way of working – Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke
One of the things I particularly enjoy about being part of the Walmart Moms Program, is the opportunity to highlight the corporation’s greener products and sustainable initiatives. One of my two tracks is sustainability, and every month, I peruse the store, looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and find products and foods that are safe for our family.
Each year (traditionally around the Spring when Earth Month is celebrated), Walmart holds it’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting, to spotlight those areas where they’ve achieved success and what sustainability looks like in the future for the corporation. I always find this particular meeting to be interesting and informative, and come away inspired and honored to be working with Walmart.
Sustainability is right for the business and the right thing to do – Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke
The quote at the beginning of this post really defines Walmart’s approach in all areas, specifically as a leader in sustainability. This year, the company will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary, and according to Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke, aims to put sustainability deeper into the business.
So where has Walmart achieved success in the area of sustainability over the past year? Here are some of the highlights from the past year:
1. You know the wires that often secure toys in their packaging? The ones that are nearly impossible to remove, even as an adult? Walmart replaced them with a sustainable alternative, saving 1 billion feet of wire from ending up in landfills. That is enough wire to wrap around the earth 8 times! Yikes!
2. Walmart has worked hard to eliminate more than 80% of it’s waste in US stores. The result is that this waste does not end up in landfills.
3. Over the last year, Walmart has increased it’s amount of locally grown produce by 97%, which now accounts for 10% of all produce sold in Walmart stores nationwide.
4. In 2011, Walmart saved it’s US customers over 1 billion dollars by lowering the price of produce
5. Through Walmart’s global direct farm program, they’ve helped over 10,000 small and medium sized farmers in Costa Rica, Central America, and Mexico by teaching them sustainable agriculture.
6. Over the past two years, Walmart has exceeded it’s goal of selling 100 million CFL light bulbs. Through the 460 million light bulbs sold, they’ve saved $15 billion in utility costs which is the equivalent of saving the emissions from 25 million cars.
7. Walmart is currently at 80% of it’s goal towards having zero waste. The income they’ve realized from recycling is equivalent to the profit from 40-50 Supercenters and emissions from 2 million cars.
8. Walmart’s fleet vehicles drove 28 million fewer miles yet delivered 65 more million cases.
9. Since 2007, Walmart has saved 1.7 million dollars from 100 solar sites built, most of which are in California
Little things add up to big things – Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke
One of the most interesting concepts introduced is Walmart’s new Sustainability Index. We are a generation seeking information and we not only want to know that the products we use and consume are safe, but that they were made well and produced in a responsible manner. The Sustainability Index is a way for customers to evaluate a product’s environmental impact, simply by reading the information on the package.
To succeed, stay out in front of change – Sam Walton
There is a lot of emphasis within the corporation about helping customers save money so they can live better. Oftentimes, sustainability isn’t the first word that comes to people’s minds when they think about Walmart. As a leader in the industry, Walmart is constantly asking the question, “what does it take to play an even bigger role on sustainability?”
If you’re interested in learning more about Walmart’s sustainability initiatives, I encourage you to check out Walmart’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting online.
Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.
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