Walmart's New Initiatives Target to Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Walmart announced new commitments to reduce plastic packaging waste. The announcement to this effect was made during the recently held Walmart’s annual supplier forum. In addition to enhancing existing efforts to reduce plastic waste in Walmart U.S. and Sam’s club operations, the initiative focuses on private brand packaging. Furthermore, Walmart has also called upon other leading national brand suppliers to set similar packaging goals.

According to Walmart, it has decided to work with its private brand suppliers in the U.S. to achieve 100% recyclable, reusable or industrially compostable packaging by 2025. Also, all private brand packaging must have minimum 20% post-consumer recycled content. All food and consumable private brand packaging will be labeled with the How2Recycle® label by 2022. Non-recyclable PVC material will be eliminated from general merchandise packaging by 2020. Also, the company will ensure reduced use of plastic packaging wherever possible.

Walmart also released a new recycling playbook which outlines the types of plastic packaging that are more easily recyclable and narrates the recycling challenges of certain packaging materials.

Laura Phillips, Senior Vice President for Global Sustainability at Walmart Inc. stated that the announcement marks another key milestone in the company’s efforts to advance sustainability of private brand packaging and encourage others to pursue similar ambitions.