Wal-Mart Continues Sustainability Efforts

Bentonville, Ark., Wal-Mart released the results of its packaging scorecard at the second annual Sustainable Packaging Exposition Monday. The scorecard, which was launched this past February, is part of the company's efforts to reduce waste in packaging and sustain resources. It evaluates Wal-Mart and Sam's Club suppliers on the sustainability of their packaging and offers suggestions for improvement.

In the first month since the scorecard launched, 2,268 vendors have logged on to the site and 117 products have been entered into the system. Wal-Mart expects these numbers to dramatically increase in the coming year. The company hopes the success of the scorecard will help move the company toward a 5% reduction in packaging by 2013.

In its efforts to promote environmental sustainability in all of its products, Wal-Mart will implement a similar scorecard system for its consumer electronics suppliers. Beginning in 2008, suppliers will have the option of filling out the scorecard, enabling buyers to use that information for purchasing decisions.