Walmart is positioned as one of the companies that is changing the course of this alarming reality that is currently taking place. Through smart, sustainable initiatives, the world’s largest retail chain is demonstrating that it is possible to make responsible use of food that fails to sell in its stores. In the United States, many supermarkets are implementing food-related sustainability and social responsibility plans to prevent food waste by donating food and, in the same way, preserving food security.
This is how Walmart makes the most of food that fails to sell
Fruits with unusual shapes, vegetables with small imperfections or foods that are close to their expiration date, although still perfectly suitable for consumption, are often discarded in many supermarkets. However, Walmart and its subsidiary Sam’s Club have chosen to take advantage of the value that these products can still offer. The policy that focuses on avoiding food waste should be highlighted, a fact that in the case of food donation, food safety is also addressed.
One of Walmart’s main strategies: food donation.
One of Walmart’s main strategies is to donate food to the Feeding America organization, which operates an extensive network of food banks and community programs across the country. The food banks play a very important role in the strategy to move forward positively within this new sustainability plan.
Thanks to this action, Walmart and Sam’s Club have become the largest food donors in the United States to this organization. This practice not only fights hunger, but also prevents tons of perfectly edible food from ending up in landfills.
What is not eaten is later transformed at Walmart
In the case of food that can no longer be consumed, Walmart has implemented an organic recycling system in collaboration with the company Denali. This company is in charge of transforming unfit food leftovers into different products that are of great use. Among them, first and foremost, compost and fertilizers for use by farmers in crops. On the other hand, they are also used for animal feed, as well as sources that will generate clean and renewable energy.
The whole process not only contributes to environmental sustainability, but also closes the food cycle: part of the compost generated returns to Walmart shelves to be sold to customers, thus fostering a circular economy. It is necessary to promote this type of economy because it reduces waste, most of the materials are reused and resources are reused. It should also be emphasized that all the pressure on ecosystems is reduced and the greenhouse gases that are inevitably generated are also reduced. Consequently, natural resources are preserved and, in addition to helping, all sustainable economic opportunities are automatically created.
Walmart inspires other chains
According to data provided by the supermarket chain, up to 83% of its waste is already being reused. For its part, the Institute for Sustainability Studies estimates that the figure is around 78%, which is still a notable advance compared to the current food waste situation in the country. It is estimated that in the coming years the amount will continue to grow positively to achieve sustainability in an even more efficient way.
Walmart is not the only chain committed to this cause. Supermarkets such as Kroger have also developed their own program called Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, which aims to end hunger and food waste in their communities. These principles set a great example for chains that are assuming these new ecological and sustainable responsibilities.
Whole Foods, for its part, collaborates with local food banks and applies strict donation and composting protocols. Even Target has implemented similar actions, partnering with charities to redistribute surplus food and reduce its environmental impact.