Hello world!
I am back from Walmart with stories to share!
Before the Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting, where newly appointed Walmart CEO Doug McMillon was to address the retailer's suppliers for the first time, I had lunch with my friend. Lucky for me, my friend is a Director of Private Brand packaging @Walmart, and lucky for him, I had had several cups of coffee was pumped to talk about sustainable packaging.
First of all, I inquired, what is the deal with PVC? Our customers tell us that their buyers at Walmart don't want PVC, and our suppliers tell us that there is not a suitable alternative to PVC in the context of cost and performance.
My friend explained that Walmart has stated that it looks to eliminate PVC from its product packaging wherever possible, if a comparable material exists, which it doesn't.
Wow, that makes sense. Putting the business case first; a theme that became quite apparent in the Milestone Meeting that was to follow.
Next up, the SPI resin ID symbol: What is Walmart requesting in the way of labeling its plastic product packaging for resin identification as per the ASTM/SPI standards? In other words, there has been talk that the traditional chasing arrows resin ID code will be replaced with a solid triangle so as not to imply product recyclability; just material ID. What is Walmart requesting from its suppliers in these regards?
Walmart is waiting for the industry to move, my friend answered. There doesn't seem to be anything officially reported in the way of labeling standards, so the retailer, like most along the supply chain I spoke to, is waiting to see what happens before changing the resin ID code symbol used on its plastic packaging.
That makes sense, too! Not totally satisfied with the answer, I decided to email my friend at CalRecycle about this when I returned to the office; if anyone should know, the state of California should! Stay tuned.
Okay, what about RF-sealed clamshells? What is Walmart's stance on fully sealed vs. imitation sealed thermoform packaging? We have easy-open clamshell concept that eliminates the need for secondary sealing operations, saving time and money. Would Walmart use this type of packaging? Does Walmart have any requirements when it comes to determining package seal type i.e. weight, price point, etc.?
Another answer that makes sense from my friend at Walmart: We select packaging on a case by case basis depending on the product and its transport scheme; if the packaging meets the performance and is cost effective.
Cool. So what is going on with sustainable packaging @Walmart? I know that the Packaging Scorecard is being incorporated into the Product Sustainability Index, which will serve to inform the retailer of the "sustainability" of the products it sells. Also you had mentioned that the Packaging Sustainable Value Network, which I participated in at bi-annual meetings since 2011, is no more, nor is the Sustainable Packaging Expo?
That's right, my friend began. Walmart is taking a more product-centric approach to sustainability, where packaging is a piece of the overall puzzle. The various Sustainable Value Networks, like the Packaging SVN, are being replaced with market-focused working groups, like electronics, or bakery and deli. The Sustainability Index is priority, which is being worked on by The Sustainability Consortium and the University of Arkansas; a collaborative approach to measuring and reporting product sustainability.
At Walmart, sustainable packaging has to have a business case; our buyers' pain points will always be cost and performance, but sustainability can help reduce the former or enhance the later. We encourage incorporating recycled content into product packaging, increasing the existing recycled content, reducing the product-to-package ratio, and other practical ways of using package design to save money, optimize transport, reduce shelf space, etc.
Awesome. You have answered all of my questions. High five!
Tune in next time for feedback from the Sustainability Milestone Meeting from yours truly.
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