Sustainability Leader

Walmart the largest private employer in the U.S. announced it would squeeze 20 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain, the retailer rolled out Supplier Energy Efficiency Program (SEEP) with the goal of helping its suppliers save electricity and money, in turn bringing down the price of products.

The premise behind SEEP is simple -- share with its suppliers the expertise it has accumulated through making its own fleet of clubs and super stores more efficient. The program gives suppliers access to a slew of proven energy efficient technologies in the areas of lighting, HVAC, building envelope and building controls -- at the same prices Walmart pays. The results are very good!

In addition, Walmart also is promoting its Sustainability Product Index, a guide for rating the sustainability of products. The project will be rolled out in three phases, starting with a survey of all of Walmart's suppliers around the globe. The survey consists of 15 questions in four categories: energy and climate, material efficiency, natural resources and people and community. Suppliers were asked to complete the questionnaire by October 1, 2009. The Supplier Sustainability Assesment can be found here.

Visit the Walmart Sustainability web site to learn more.