Walmart announces policy for green chemicals in consumables

At its Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting on September 12, 2013, Walmart, the US-based retail giant, provided an overview of its new policy on Sustainable Chemistry in Consumables to reduce or eliminate the use of priority chemicals used in consumables products in favour of greener alternatives. The company plans to work closely with its suppliers to achieve the objectives of this policy. Besides chemicals, Walmart also outlined key initiatives in recycling, fertilisers and energy efficiency at the meeting, which highlighted its progress with the Sustainability Index, a measurement system used to track the environmental impact of products.
 
“We have reached an acceleration point where we are moving from measurement to results. We are starting to really drive progress with the Index. This is about trust and value. Using less energy, greener chemicals, fewer fertilisers and more recycled materials – all of this – is the right thing to do for the planet and it is right for our customers and our business,” said Mike Duke, President and CEO, Walmart, in a press release.
 
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With respect to implementation of its policy on chemicals in consumables, Walmart will begin with household cleaning, personal care, beauty and cosmetic products, asking suppliers to transition to greener substitutes for priority chemicals. In addition, starting in January 2014, Walmart will begin to label its private brand cleaning products in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended Design for the Environment (DfE) Safer Product Labeling program, and will continue to assess the applicability of DfE as Walmart expands it to broader product areas.
 
As per the policy, “Walmart will work with suppliers on continuous performance improvement on The Sustainability Index to address chemical disclosure, risk assessment and hazard avoidance. Beginning in January 2015, Walmart will require suppliers to provide online public ingredient disclosure for items sold at Walmart. Walmart has prioritised a list of approximately ten chemical ingredients, as its initial list of high priority chemicals, for continuous reduction, restriction, and elimination, using informed substitution principles, and will regularly review if additional chemicals should be prioritised. Priority Chemicals will be shared with suppliers.”