Wal-Mart Concentrates on Sustainability With Detergent

5/30/2008

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. achieves its goal to offer only concentrated liquid laundry detergent in all of its U.S. and Canadian stores. The commitment was originally made by Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart, at the Clinton Global Initiative on September 26, 2007. The transition to selling only concentrated detergent has acted as a catalyst to transform the entire liquid laundry detergent category across the retail industry and save vast amounts of natural resources.

"This commitment moves us closer to our goal to drive waste out of our supply chain while continuing to offer our customers affordable, environmentally friendly products," says Matt Kistler, Wal-Mart's senior vice president of sustainability. "The innovative thinking and strategic collaboration with our suppliers was key to making this project and commitment a success for our customers, our suppliers and our business."

By selling only concentrated liquid laundry detergent, Wal-Mart is helping to save significant amounts of natural resources. Over three years in the United States, the commitment is expected to save:
    -- More than 400 million gallons of water
    -- More than 95 million pounds of plastic resin
    -- More than 125 million pounds of cardboard

Since October 2007, Wal-Mart has been gradually phasing-out larger bottles of detergent and filling the shelf space with compact versions. The transition occurred in waves starting in the Southern region with Florida and Texas and finishing in the Northeast this week with New York and Massachusetts.

Wal-Mart worked with each of its leading detergent manufacturers to bring concentrated versions of brand favorites to market, including Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, Dial, Huish and Church & Dwight.