Walmart Achieves 80 Percent Landfill Diversion Rate in California

Walmart’s California operations have achieved a landfill diversion rate of more than 80 percent in California, the retailer announced yesterday. The company says reaching that mark in its operations nationwide would prevent the emission of nearly 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, which Wal-Mart says is the equivalent of removing approximately 2 million cars from the road each year.

“We are proud of the progress we are making toward our zero-waste goal, but realize we still have more work to do,” said Bill Simon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart U.S., in a statement. “We are committed to actively finding and developing solutions that are both good for the environment and good for business.”

“Walmart is to be commended for making real progress in minimizing the environmental impact of waste from its stores,” said Karen Luken, director of the Clinton Climate Initiative’s (CCI) Waste Program. “One of the key aims for CCI’s Waste Program is to reduce methane emissions from landfills, and Walmart’s initiative sends a clear message to other businesses that this is one source of emissions than can and should be addressed now.”

According to Walmart, its zero-waste program has three primary components: recycling materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic bags, aluminum and other materials; donating food to food banks; and using expired food waste and other organic waste to create compost or energy.

For more information on Walmart’s zero-waste program, visit the company’s website.

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