Global

Chile

Recycling capacity
In 2011, we launched a pilot program aimed at improving our recycling capacity in the back of our stores. The plan included upgrading the recycling infrastructure at two of our stores and more training for associates. Through these efforts, we doubled the amount of cardboard recycled at our Lider Puente Alto store, while initiating organic waste recycling at our Lider Puente Alto and Express Lider Tomás Moro stores. We plan to implement these programs at all of our stores in the next three years.

China

Composting organic waste
In 2011, Walmart China began a collaboration with Beijing Goldenway Bio-Tech (BGB) to compost 360 tons of organic waste from 10 stores in Beijing. BGB picks up organic waste from the stores every day and treats it in their recycling stations. These stations use microorganisms, temperature and pressure to convert the waste into protein feed and fertilizer additives. This byproduct is then used by companies and farmers to grow organic produce and feed livestock. This effort, in combination with a variety of other initiatives, helped Walmart China divert 52 percent of its operational waste from landfills in 2011.

ASDA

Reducing food waste
ASDA sends no food waste to landfills. If the food is still good quality and safe for consumption, it's given to charities or sent back to our ASDA Service Centres (ASCs) where we find ways to recycle it. We are also working with the Food Standards Agency and the Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP) to determine whether certain products can have a greater shelf life by transitioning "Use By" codes to "Best Before" codes. In addition, we are supporting WRAP's goal for a 4 percent cut in household food and drink waste from our sector by 2013. One of the ways we hope to do this is by supporting the government's Love Food, Hate Waste campaign. In 2011, we provided more than 7 million customers with tips and recipes for storing and using leftovers via our print and online versions of ASDA Magazine.

Brazil

Waste diversion
In 2011, Walmart Brazil successfully diverted 52 percent of its operational waste, the equivalent of 37,000 tons, from landfills. More than 6,000 tons of waste was composted or reused. Today, 10 Walmart Brazil stores recycle 90 percent or more of their operational waste, setting an example to be replicated across the country.

Japan

Zero-waste store
Walmart Japan recognizes both material recycling — turning used materials into new products — and thermal recycling — the utilization of heat from burning waste — as contributing to its aspirational goal of producing zero waste. Based on this definition, we have achieved 100 percent zero waste at more than 100 of our stores.