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• Removing 213,000 trucks from the road
• Saving 324,000 tons of coal each year
• Saving 67 million gallons of diesel fuel per year

Because Wal-Mart is the world’s biggest retailer, look for other companies to follow suit.
Again, if we look at just the supply chain, a reduction of packaging will likely mean that
other companies will also get packaging that has been reduced for Wal-Mart. Also, other
companies are likely to follow the example set by Wal-Mart.
As part of the Sustainability 360 program, Wal-Mart intends to introduce what it calls
“Global Innovation Projects.” One such project is a challenge for Wal-Mart associates and
suppliers to start thinking about how to remove nonrenewable energy from the products
the company sells.
“Perhaps the most far-reaching opportunity we have with our suppliers is a simple idea
with potentially profound consequences,” said Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott. “Just think about
this: What if we worked with our suppliers to take nonrenewable energy off our shelves
and out of the lives of our customers? We could create metrics and share best practices so
our suppliers could make products that rely less and less on carbon-based energy.”
The steps Wal-Mart is taking aren’t just in the United States. The company is making efforts
worldwide. For example, Wal-Mart stores in the United Kingdom are looking at reduced
packaging on food products by 25 percent and are selling more energy-efficient light bulbs.
And Wal-Mart isn’t stopping at the intermediate goals it has set. The company strives to
be supplied with 100 percent renewable energy and provide zero waste. It has also set goals
of creating more recyclable materials and replacing PVC packaging in all Wal-Mart brand
items with environmentally friendly materials.
Wal-Mart has already committed to selling 100 percent sustainable fish in its food
markets, and is experimenting with green roofs, corn-based plastics, and green energy.

NOTE In 2007 in Canada, Wal-Mart also signed a 3-year commitment to purchase 39,000
megawatt-hours (mWh) of renewable energy, the largest corporate purchase of renewable energy
in Ontario’s history.
Partners
Remember, Wal-Mart’s commitment to the environment involves its employees, customers,
and supply chain. How are all these stakeholders being involved by the retailer? Wal-Mart
is encouraging, recommending, and outright demanding change from the various people
involved.

Customers

Associates

Supply chain
partners