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  Yahoo News 22 Sep 06
Wal-Mart to cut packaging in environmental initiative

NEW YORK (AFP) - Retail titan Wal-Mart announced an initiative to cut the use of packaging materials by five percent, saying it would have a significant environmental benefit.

The announcement, made at the conclusion of the annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York, said Wal-Mart would begin evaluating the packaging efficiency of its 60,000 worldwide suppliers in 2008.

"In addition to preventing millions of pounds of trash from reaching landfills, the initiative is projected to save 667,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere," Wal-Mart said in a statement.

"This is equal to taking 213,000 trucks off the road annually, and saving 323,800 tonnes of coal and 66.7 million gallons of diesel fuel from being burned."

Wal-Mart said the move could result in some 10.98 billion dollars in savings for packaging costs overall, including 3.4 billion dollars for the company.

"Packaging is where consumers and suppliers come together and can have a real impact both on business efficiency and environmental stewardship," said Wal-Mart chief executive Lee Scott.

"Even small changes to packaging have a significant ripple effect. Improved packaging means less waste, fewer materials used, and savings on transportation, manufacturing, shipping and storage."

Starting in November 2007, Wal-Mart will introduce a "packaging scorecard" to help Wal- Mart buyers to have information about packaging alternatives or more sustainable packaging materials in one place to make better purchasing decisions.

Starting in 2008, Wal-Mart will use this tool for its purchasing decisions.
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