Walmart’s current goal is to achieve zero waste in their Canada, Japan, U.K. and U.S. operations by 2025. The retailer’s 2018 sustainability report says that by the end of last year, Walmart had diverted 81 percent of its U.S. waste from landfills, and 78 percent globally. Here’s a closer look at the company’s approach.

What does “zero waste” actually mean? Walmart defines it as meeting or exceeding Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) business recognition program requirements.

“In 2005, Walmart began to look at the interplay of waste and usable materials and to seriously examine our own operations, looking for ways to reduce waste of all kinds,” the company’s latest sustainability report says. “Today we have a deeper understanding of the challenges and are engaging suppliers and customers in pursuit of the circular economy.”

Their overall waste reduction strategy involves: measuring waste, reducing waste from non-food items and packaging, and reducing food waste in their operations.

Measuring Waste

Understanding waste drivers is key for the company. In FY2018, Walmart reports establishing a 2016 waste baseline for their Canada, Japan, U.K. and U.S. operations. They used the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard (FLW Standard) developed by a partnership that includes World Resources Institute, CGF, Food and Agriculture Organization.

Tackling Food Waste

Globally, Walmart aims to reduce food waste in operations by:

Accelerating sell-through to prevent food waste
Donating unsold food to local food banks
Recovering inedible food through animal feed, composting and anaerobic digestions