Walmart is doing its part as a major corporation for sustainable efforts while minimizing waste.

In 2011 alone, the Walmart recycling program helped to avoid the usage of over 45 thousand cubic meters of landfill area. This was achieved by their waste management and recycling program’s ability to save and recycle 6272 tons of cardboard and around 900 tons of plastic. These numbers are presented according to the Walmart Department of Sustainability.

The amount of cardboard that Walmart recycled last year reduces the consumption of 106,331 trees and the amount of plastic recycled reuses 9905 barrels of oil.

According to the Director of the Department of Sustainability, Walmart has a goal of zero waste and to meet part of that goal, Walmart has 6 locations with recycling centers in Costa Rica that allow them to store cardboard and plastics on site. In addition to the Recycling centers, Walmart has saved over 25 million kilowatt hours of energy and reduced their emissions by 3140 tons of carbon dioxide.

With Walmart at the forefront of environmental efforts, hopefully others will follow their lead. Walmart would like to continue upping the numbers on the amount of waste reduced each year, someday reaching the zero waste threshold.

Source: Marketline