Chloe Zhang
Walmart has implemented several initiatives to address plastic waste, including the introduction of Community Recycling Units, participation in industry discussions, support for a Global Plastics Treaty, and efforts to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging. The company aims to achieve 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for its private brand by 2025 and provides collection bins for plastic bags and films in its U.S. stores. While some question the feasibility of accepting plastic bags for recycling, Walmart is committed to improving its plastic reduction and recycling strategies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Recycling Strategy | Working towards reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic |
| Plastic Recycling Goals | 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for private brands by 2025 |
| Current Recycling Rate | 58% |
| Plastic Accepted | Plastic bags, films, bottles, containers, product bottles, food wrappers, cosmetic packaging |
| Plastic Not Accepted | Coloured plastic, Plastics #3 PVC, #5 PP, #6 PS or #7 Other, milk jugs, shopping bags, snack/chip packaging, cardboard |
| Initiatives | Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Global Plastics Treaty, Community Recycling Unit |
| Recycling Process | Collection, sorting, baling, sold to independent companies for reuse |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags and films accepted at Walmart
Walmart is committed to reducing plastic waste and improving recycling strategies. As part of this effort, they have introduced collection bins for plastic bags and films in their US stores. The plastic bags and films collected are mixed into bales with other recyclables and picked up by contracted companies for sorting and recycling.
Walmart's Community Recycling Unit is a free, self-service drop-off location for recyclables, including plastic bags and films. The company strives to recycle eligible materials to the maximum extent practicable, although recycling is not guaranteed. It is important to note that contaminated materials may not be recycled and can render other eligible items unrecyclable as well.
Walmart accepts plastic bags and films for recycling at their Community Recycling Units. However, they specify that milk jugs, shopping bags, and film, as well as snack or chip packaging, cardboard, and paper, are not accepted. They encourage customers to remove all liquid and food residue from waste materials before dropping them off at the Community Recycling Unit to prevent contamination.
In addition to plastic bags and films, Walmart's Community Recycling Unit accepts various other types of plastic waste, including clear plastic containers, plastic bottles, and rigid food packaging. They also accept packaging from all brands, regardless of where they were purchased. The company is working towards achieving 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for their private brand by 2025 and aims to provide recycling instructions on all their packaging.
Walmart is actively involved in advocating for improved recycling infrastructure and participates in industry discussions through groups such as the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Plastics Coalition and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). They support the adoption of a Global Plastics Treaty and work with organisations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund to promote sustainable packaging solutions and improve recycling systems.
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Recycling infrastructure and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that assigns producers responsibility for the end-of-life of products. This can include financial and operational responsibility, with the amount and type varying. EPR programs for packaging often require or encourage producers to join a collective producer responsibility organization (PRO), which develops a producer responsibility plan and manages the program. PROs are typically non-profit organizations, and they distribute funds to cover the costs of program legislation, such as collection, sorting, and processing.
The primary goals of EPR take-back laws are to partner with the private sector to ensure that all waste is managed in a way that protects public health and the environment. EPR can also give governments more freedom to create sustainable legislation with little cost, while also raising awareness about the issues EPR seeks to solve. For example, when China stopped importing E-waste from the U.S., a build-up of waste formed at ports, highlighting the lack of infrastructure around recycling in the U.S. As more countries adopt EPR policies, it restricts other countries from ignoring waste issues.
Some U.S. states have not enacted EPR laws due to a lack of recycling infrastructure and funds for proper e-waste disposal. However, states with successful e-waste recycling programs have developed a convenient e-waste infrastructure and set goals for manufacturers. EPR can also make products more expensive as the cost must be considered before being put on the market, and there are concerns about how it may affect the recycling of complex electronics.
Walmart has set bold commitments to achieve 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for its private brand by 2025, with the current rate at 58%. They have launched Community Recycling Units that accept items that most curbside programs don't, such as plastic food wrappers and cosmetic packaging. They also offer collection bins for plastic bags and films and contract with companies to pick up these bales for sorting and recycling. Walmart supports the adoption of a Global Plastics Treaty and participates in industry discussions on recycling through groups such as the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Plastics Coalition. They are also working to reduce, reuse, and recycle the plastic needed to run their business.
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Community Recycling Unit
Walmart is committed to reducing plastic waste and improving its recycling strategies. As part of this, they have introduced Community Recycling Units at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations. These are free, self-service drop-off containers for recyclables, which accept materials that most curbside recycling programs do not. This includes plastic food wrappers, cosmetic packaging, and more. The Community Recycling Unit accepts six different waste streams: aluminium, clear plastic containers, home cleaning and beauty product bottles, plastic bags and films, plastic bottles, and rigid food packaging.
It is important to note that recycling is not guaranteed, and Walmart strives to recycle eligible materials to the maximum extent practicable. Before dropping off items at the Community Recycling Unit, ensure all liquid and food residue has been removed to prevent contamination of the waste stream.
Walmart is also working towards other goals, such as achieving 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for its private brand by 2025. They are encouraging their suppliers to eliminate waste from their operations and the products and packaging they sell through Walmart. Additionally, Walmart supports the adoption of a Global Plastics Treaty and participates in industry discussions on recycling through groups such as the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Plastics Coalition.
Walmart also offers collection bins for plastic bags and films in its U.S. stores, which are then collected by contracted companies for sorting and recycling. This is particularly notable as plastic bags are problematic for recyclers, with many recycling centers refusing to accept them.
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Accepted and unaccepted plastics
Walmart has set bold commitments to achieve 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for its private brand by 2025. It also launched Community Recycling Units at select Walmart and Sam's Club locations to recycle items that most curbside programs don't accept, such as plastic food wrappers and cosmetic packaging. The Community Recycling Unit is a free, self-service drop-off container for recyclables.
Accepted Plastics
The Community Recycling Unit accepts six different waste streams of plastics:
- Clear plastic containers
- Home cleaning and beauty product bottles
- Plastic bags and films
- Plastic bottles
- Rigid food packaging
- Yogurt, butter, and other dairy tubs
- Frozen and ready-meal trays
- Bakery and produce trays/clamshells
- Clear fruit cups
- Clear plastic egg cartons
- Plastic water, soda, and sports drink bottles
Additionally, Walmart contracts with vendors to collect and recycle rigid plastics and plastic films produced from its operations and returned by customers.
Unaccepted Plastics
The following plastics are not accepted at the Community Recycling Units:
- Milk or water jugs
- Glass or aluminum
- Milk jugs
- Shopping bags and films
- Snack or chip packaging
- Cardboard or paper
- Colored plastic
- Plastics #3 PVC, #5 PP, #6 PS, or #7 Other
Walmart also encourages its private and national brand suppliers to eliminate waste from their operations and the products and packaging they sell through Walmart, with specific targets set for private brand suppliers.
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Working with NGOs to improve recycling
Walmart has demonstrated its commitment to reducing plastic waste and improving recycling. The company has set bold targets, such as achieving 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging for its private brand by 2025. It also plans to label 100% of its packaging with recycling instructions to educate its customers. In addition, Walmart has introduced Community Recycling Units, which accept a range of plastic waste that is not typically collected through curbside recycling programs. These initiatives are part of Walmart's continuous efforts to improve its plastic reduction and recycling strategies.
To further enhance its recycling initiatives, Walmart can collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have expertise in sustainability and recycling. Working with NGOs can bring valuable insights, best practices, and innovative solutions to Walmart's existing efforts. NGOs play a crucial role in promoting recycling, educating the public, conducting research, and advocating for policy changes. They are catalysts for change, dedicated to creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.
One such NGO is Greenpeace, a global organization with offices in over 40 countries. Greenpeace focuses on exposing environmental crimes and protecting the natural world. They advocate for environmentally responsible policies and promote peace by challenging governments, businesses, and other organizations. Greenpeace is known for its high-profile campaigns on climate change, deforestation, overfishing, and nuclear power. Collaborating with Greenpeace can provide Walmart with valuable insights and a global network of experts to enhance its recycling initiatives.
Additionally, Walmart can partner with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), another respected conservation organization. The WWF works on various issues, including climate change, deforestation, overfishing, and biodiversity loss. They conduct scientific research, support conservation projects, and advocate for policy changes. Importantly, the WWF works with governments, businesses, and local communities to create sustainable solutions that respect the needs of both people and nature. Partnering with the WWF can help Walmart develop more environmentally sustainable practices and improve its recycling infrastructure.
Furthermore, Walmart can engage with regional NGOs, such as the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), to shape environmental policies and promote sustainability at a regional level. The EEB is the largest network of environmental organizations in Europe and plays a crucial role in influencing environmental legislation and policy within the European Union (EU). By working with the EEB, Walmart can contribute to shaping regional environmental policies and promoting sustainable practices in Europe.
By collaborating with NGOs like Greenpeace, the WWF, and the EEB, Walmart can access a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and networks dedicated to sustainability and recycling. These partnerships can enhance Walmart's existing initiatives, provide global and regional perspectives, and contribute to creating a more sustainable future. Together, they can drive change, improve recycling practices, and protect our planet.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Walmart accepts plastic for recycling at its Community Recycling Units. These are free, self-service drop-off containers that accept several types of plastic, including plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic films, and clear plastic containers. However, it's important to note that not all types of plastic are accepted, and certain items, such as milk jugs, shopping bags, and coloured plastics, are specifically excluded.
Walmart contracts with companies to collect and recycle plastics. The collected plastic is typically baled and sold to independent companies, who then turn the plastic into tiny pellets. These pellets can then be used to create new products, such as synthetic lumber for decking or park benches, or recycled into other forms like film, pouches, or bags.
Walmart is actively working to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling strategies. They have set goals for their private brand packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025 and aim to eliminate non-recyclable packaging. They also encourage their suppliers to reduce unnecessary plastic and improve the recyclability of their products and packaging. Additionally, Walmart participates in industry discussions on recycling through groups such as the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Plastics Coalition and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).
