ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Walmart Aims To Cut Waste, Adopt Sustainable Practices With New Packaging

Walmart has recently announced a series of changes aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability across its business operations.
PUBLISHED JUN 20, 2023
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Joe Raedle
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Joe Raedle

As online shopping continues to grow, retailers are facing the challenge of addressing packaging waste and adopting more sustainable practices. Walmart, the largest retailer in the United States, has recently announced a series of changes aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability across its business operations.

The company plans to implement these changes by swapping plastic mailers for recyclable paper ones, utilizing made-to-fit technology in its fulfillment centers, and offering customers the option to skip plastic bags for curbside pickup orders, according to CNBC.

One of the key changes Walmart is implementing involves replacing plastic mailers with paper ones that can be recycled curbside. By making this switch, Walmart estimates that it will eliminate more than 2,000 tons of plastic from circulation in the United States by the end of January. This significant reduction in plastic waste showcases Walmart's commitment to sustainability and aligns with its goal of offering customers more environmentally friendly products and choices.

Image Source: GettyImages/Michael Ciaglo
Image Source: GettyImages/Michael Ciaglo

Walmart also plans to introduce made-to-fit technology in approximately half of its fulfillment centers. This technology ensures that each shipped box uses less material, allowing more boxes to fit on each truckload. By optimizing packaging and increasing efficiency, Walmart aims to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of its shipping processes. These changes not only benefit the environment but also make the entire logistics chain more streamlined and cost-effective.

Image Source: GettyImages/Joe Raedle
Image Source: GettyImages/Joe Raedle

Recognizing the growing concern over plastic bag usage, Walmart is giving customers the option to skip plastic bags when picking up their orders through curbside pickup. By the end of the year, this option will be available at all Walmart stores, allowing customers to make a more sustainable choice.

Image Source: GettyImages/Chris Hondros
Image Source: GettyImages/Chris Hondros

Walmart is not alone in its efforts to reduce packaging waste and cater to environmentally conscious customers. Other major retailers, such as Amazon and Target, have also taken steps to adopt more sustainable practices in their operations.

Image Source: GettyImages/Tim Boyle
Image Source: GettyImages/Tim Boyle

Amazon, for instance, has invested in made-to-fit packaging technology and encourages vendors to ship products in their own containers whenever possible. By consolidating purchases into a single package, Amazon allows customers to save money while reducing packaging waste. Similarly, Target has replaced bubble wrap with recyclable paper cushioning and launched products under its Everspring brand that reduce waste through reusable glass cleaning spray bottles.

In addition to appealing to environmentally conscious customers, embracing sustainable packaging and practices can also offer cost benefits for retailers. Made-to-fit packaging reduces material usage, making each box more efficient and minimizing the need for plastic air pillows. These changes also streamline the logistics process and reduce labor for workers who previously assembled and taped boxes by hand. By reducing waste and increasing efficiency, retailers can achieve both environmental and economic advantages.

RELATED TOPICS WALMART
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The Sharks formed teams and ditched their partners to get a deal with "The Woobles".
1 hour ago
With a tiny margin of four steps, the player won prizes worth $8,000 after a tense game.
19 hours ago
The recall was issued amid reports of multiple deaths and over a dozen illnesses across 13 states.
23 hours ago
The player celebrated her way to the stage and then got more than one reason to celebrate.
1 day ago
The investment turned out to fruitful as 'Simple Sugars' went on to make millions.
1 day ago
The long time host of the show expressed his love for the cast members of the show.
1 day ago
Fans took to Reddit to blast both the Bonus Round puzzle and Seacrest's mistake.
2 days ago
In the end, the founders of Turbo Trusser couldn't 'chicken out' of a deal with Chef Wonderful.
2 days ago
The entrepreneurs impressed all sharks with their chocolate flavored birthday treats.
3 days ago
The pristine collection of 'Magic Trading Cards' blew away the expert too.
3 days ago
The player's team members and Harvey kept laughing uncontrollably.
3 days ago
The autographed 1919 Cincinnati Reds Championship baseball turned out be a great investment.
4 days ago
The two cunning Sharks worked out a creative deal for the innovative product.
5 days ago
The guest was surprised that the person gifted her such a precious item.
5 days ago
The founders of "Slick Barrier" chose to put the Sharks in harms way to demonstrate their product.
5 days ago
The item that was rejected by the guest's family turned out to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
5 days ago
Even host Drew Carey noted such a win hadn't happened since he took over the show in 2007.
6 days ago
The guest who paid $7,000 for the collection was delighted to get a hefty return.
6 days ago
The 30-year retired veteran literally "aced" the card game to win a brand new Kia car.
6 days ago
The guest was beyond delighted to find out that her grandmother's gift was worth thousands.
7 days ago