Walmart Eliminates 80% of its CA Landfill Waste

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has eliminated more than 80 percent of the waste that would go to landfills from its operations in California.

The company’s comprehensive waste reduction program that produced these results is now being implemented across Walmart’s 4,400 stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers in the United States, moving it closer to its global goal of creating zero waste.

Achieving a similar 80 percent reduction in its landfill waste across the country would help Walmart prevent more than 11.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“We are proud of the progress we are making toward our zero-waste goal, but realize we still have more work to do. We are committed to actively finding and developing solutions that are both good for the environment and good for business,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO. “We do everything with the customer in mind. We are committed to buying, operating and selling for less, and our waste program is a great example of developing new ideas that help us save our customers money. Through this program we are able to provide the raw materials needed to make new products, recycle millions of pounds of commodities and reduce the environmental impact of landfills.”

Beginning in 2009, Walmart created a nationwide infrastructure of landfill alternatives that could open new opportunities for municipalities and other businesses to reduce the amount of solid waste they send to landfills.

Walmart began implementing and consistently tracking its new and existing waste reduction efforts in California in 2009. A third-party review has shown Walmart uses an appropriate process to establish its waste reduction data. The nationwide program, based on the California model, will include an ongoing review to monitor the program's success.