To create a more circular economy, it’s important to keep packaging out of landfills. As the team did walkthroughs, they noticed that some products used coated paper instead of regular cardboard. In most cases, coated paper cannot be recycled. They also noted the frequent use of plastic trays in packaging. Because plastic trays cannot be recycled easily, they recommended that plastic zip ties be used to hold a product to a piece of cardboard as an alternative.

The team found that many times in various departments, there would be two similar products packaged very differently. One would be packaged exclusively in plastic, while the other was in a cardboard box. Cardboard is much better for the environment than plastic, and changing this packaging is an easy way to increase sustainability. As they did walkthroughs, they noted each time this occurred and recommended that cardboard packaging be adopted as the standard.

As the team conducted walkthroughs, they documented products that had received either of two critical certifications: the Forest Stewardship (FSC) certification and the Energy Star certification. The former designates whether paper and wood products were sourced sustainably, while the latter indicates that the product uses power more efficiently and can save the consumer money in energy bills. If a product was certified but not labeled as such, it was reported to a department representative.

Innovation refers to finding creative ways to increase the sustainability of different departments. The team found that Walmart could increase sustainability by encouraging more sustainably made products, collaborating with partners who could help increase sustainability, and using alternative packaging materials. By keeping up with cutting-edge packaging innovation in the market, Walmart could ensure the achievement of its sustainability benchmarks.

Elisa is an MPA student with a undergraduate degree in communication. She enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, and playing pickleball. Her undergraduate experience fueled her desire to work in corporate social responsibility, which led to her taking SIP and joining the Walmart team.

Emily is a marketing major from Silver City, Colorado. She grew up on a cattle ranch and enjoys learning about agriculture. She was interested in doing a SIP project because she wanted to learn about different aspects of business and develop problem-solving skills.

Aaron is a finance major from Pleasant Grove, Utah. His long-term career goal is to work in corporate finance, and he enjoys trying new recipes in his spare time. Aaron joined the Walmart SIP team because he is passionate about sustainable business practices.

Brandon is a global supply chain management major from Las Vegas, Nevada. He prefers to spend his free time running and writing. Brandon joined the Walmart SIP team because he is passionate about the environment and wants to help corporations create more sustainable supply chains.