I finally caught a free moment, and wanted to catch everyone up.  It has been a wonderfully busy couple of months as we build the work around what we announced a few days ago…the Sustainability Index.  Please take a  look at the webcast; it is definitely worth watching.  www.walmartstores.com/milestone

There was a surprising amount of press about the announcement, which was good, but the think I was most excited about was that most publications kept the spirit of the announcement…collaboration.  It is essential that this project include all the key partners: NGOs, manufacturers, scientists, academics, and yes, retailers too. 

We are starting this Index work with something that is just a beginning step.  You see, before we can really dig into products, we need to learn a little more about our suppliers and help them know what we prioritize.  That is the intent behind an initial questionnaire that contains 15 simple questions.  We worked with a lot of stakeholders to create this small list of questions so that it is simple, clear, and focused on the most important first steps.  I think it comes pretty close to accomplishing this, but obviously, 15 questions will never tell you all you could want or need to know in order to influence your supply chain.  Included in the questions are: whether you are measuring carbon, solid waste, and water; whether you know where ALL the factories are that produce your finished goods, and questions regarding your workforce. 

Now, the real work begins.  The world knows our intent (and hopefully all understand our desires to do this very collaboratively), the supply base has a beginning step as they work to make progress doing the things the 15 questions ask about, and now we are diving into the supply systems for the products we sell.  With great examples of product transparency from folks like SC Johnson,  we have a lot to build from…but the road ahead is long.  Please be patient as we drive it.

PS...the label you see at the top is just a hypothetical...what you might see one day.  But, it is important we don't get caught up in the customer label right now.  That is a future discussion, for now, I believe we need to stay focused on getting the right data the right way.  Who knows, maybe the customer won't even need labels in 5 years...

 We’ve just complete the 4^th Annual Sustainable Packaging Expo (see link to article on www.walmartstores.com).  What a success!  Over 2,200 supplier representatives, buyers and exhibitors attended the Expo, making connections to drive more sustainable packaging.  I know that the time spent talking with the exhibitors and learning in the breakout sessions will result in packaging improvements in the coming months…  I plan to discuss them in this blog, as the new packaging launches into the Stores and Clubs.

The quality of the packaging discussions seemed even better this year at the Expo.  Packaging suppliers came prepared to discuss innovation that was ready for commercialization and innovation that needs some additional support to move into the market.

A great example was shown in the Natureworks booth, highlighting the PLA resin being used in the new Sun Chips bag.  Right now, the bag is made from ~33% PLA…  but Frito Lay has committed to launching a 100% PLA bag by Earth Day 2010.  One of the key benefits of a 100% PLA bag is that the material is plant based and annually renewable.  I recommend that you check out the Natureworks website for additional details.  The FAQ section is very helpful to better understand the resin.

There was a story about the Sun Chips packaging change in USA Today last week as well.  You can read the article through this link.

It is critical that the packaging suppliers, product suppliers, and retail buyers work closely together to implement the more sustainable packaging that was displayed at the Expo.  The connections made at the Expo need to continue so that we can work through any challenges.  Together, we can do what’s right for our customers, the business, and the environment.

Here's some pictures from the Expo.  A birds eye view of the trade show floor, followed by a picture from one of our well attended breakout sessions.

 First off, I have to apologize for being quiet for so long.  It has been a wonderfully busy several months with work, and lets face it, I just got out of the habit of writing.  Much has happened at Walmart since my last blog.  Our CEO, Lee Scott retired, and was replaced by Mike Duke, a man whose integrity I greatly admire.  He and I spent several days learning about the effect of climate change on glaciers two years ago, and I was, and am very excited to have him leading our company.  He is a great business leader, and he is also a great advocate of sustainability.  In fact, at our most recent corporate sustainability meeting the last week in January he said of our sustainability goals: “We’ll learn from the past, and then accelerate and broaden our efforts for the future.”

Since then, we have been driving sustainability even faster than before.  We have been working on several of the goals that we set that had end dates of this year, and we were pleased to be able to announce that several came to pass including the goal to increase the fuel efficiency of our fleets by 25%.  Additionally, we’ve been preparing for more communication with our customers…you.  As of right now, we are beginning a program we call Earth Month in our stores and in our ads.  In honor of Earth Day, April 22, we decided to declare the entire month of April Earth Month, and take the opportunity to share with our customers some of the things we have learned. 

Wal-Mart stores from Brazil to China to Canada will be telling the stories of products that are better alternatives for the planet and for your family.  Products like Cold Water Tide that can save our customers up to $150/year in water heating costs, Bissell Vacuums that are made using the plastic that we recycled from Walmart’s own waste stream, and SC Johnson’s new Nature’s Source cleaners using amazing chemistry for the environment and effectiveness help tell the story of small changes that add up to a big difference.   We hope all of our customers will discover that the purchases they make are important, and that they can choose wisely for the environment and their wallets.

In the US, we are also doing some things to make this effort a little more engaging than you can get thru normal marketing.  One of the more interesting things we decided to try out is called the “Earth Day, Every Day” School Challenge.  It involves arguably some of the most creative and committed among us – our kids! This year, we want to give school administrators, teachers or parents the opportunity to tell us about what they are doing for the planet at your school. You might be interested, and if so, please enter the challenge here. Your school could win a $500 Walmart gift card and the chance to compete for a $20,000 grant, to be used toward activities and projects that will help make your school a little more sustainable.

If you aren’t interested in the school challenge, I’d still love to hear about what you are doing for Earth Month. Or better yet, visit our YouTube channel and tell the whole world!

Rand

The 4th Annual Wal-Mart Sustainable Packaging Exposition (shortened to Expo in the rest of the entry) is coming up, and it’s got me thinking about trade show etiquette.  I see trade shows as a valuable tool where a two minute conversation may turn into a game changing solution, and I hope everyone who attends the Expo will agree.

The first thing I do when I am at a trade show is commit to keeping my head up and eyes open.  I have seen those people at various events who keep their head down, eyes focused on the supplier list or floor map… rather than potentially make eye contact and get pulled into talking with someone representing an exhibiting company. By keeping my eyes up, I can see what each supplier is trying to tell me about their packaging and services.  Only then can I find new solutions to make more sustainable packaging.

If I see anything that has even the slightest potential, I will move in to start a conversation.  I typically begin with an intro of who I am and what I’m responsible for:
-Robert Parvis
-Sam’s Club Packaging
-responsible for all private label packaging in the Club (Member’s Mark, Bakers & Chefs, etc)
-also an active leader within our Packaging Sustainable Value Network (SVN)

I then ask the supplier to tell me what packaging, services, etc they provide, and how they think they could help improve my packages.  The initial exchange can take as few as 2 minutes.  If there’s no need for additional conversation, we can part ways just as easily as we came together.

But this is what happens more often then not… we find an area where we may be able to work together to create a more sustainable package.  If I had just blown by their booth, I would have missed that opportunity.

My hope is that everyone who attends the Expo will make the same commitment as me.  Com prepared to find packaging solutions.  Look through your item list, look through the supply chain, and find opportunities.

The Expo is April 14th and 15th, 8am-5pm, at the John Q Hammonds Center in Rogers. 
Attendance is open to all current Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club product suppliers, but you need to register prior to the event.  Go to this website to get additional details and register: www.walmart.walmartmeetings.com

I can't forget to mention the "Information Sessions".  See the invitiation for more details, but you should know that the sessions were very popular in 2008, so you'll need to sign-up soon.  Its a great way to get a high level overview of some key challenges and solutions in the packaging industry.

I look forward to seeing you there!  Here's some pictures from the 2008 event.

 It is always difficult to quickly summarize what you do, but as a way of introduction to the Checkout Blog site, I will do my best! 

I am a Packaging Manager for Sam’s Club and an active part of the Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Packaging SVN Leadership team.  In my daily work, I will touch the packaging of items all across the club, ranging from gas grills to fresh sausages to liquid laundry detergent.  My goal is to improve each package that I work on: reduce damages, maximize value, and improve the experience for everyone who touches the package.

Since I joined the company in May of 2007, I have also had the pleasure of being part of the Packaging Sustainable Value Network Leadership team that is working on packaging in both Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart stores.  We work with key stakeholders to drive more sustainable packaging within the company and in the industry.  I am very close to the development, improvement, and use of the packaging scorecard.  It is exciting to be working on such key initiatives within the company, and I know that my work my work can have a lasting impact not just on the company, but on the environment.

Sam’s Club product packaging is much different than the packaging needed for a typical retail environment.  Generally speaking, we do not stock shelves, do not “front face” product, and do not have storage space besides the steel racks above our club floors.

What does this mean for our product suppliers?  The packaging has to be ready for this enviornment.  We require club ready pallets that will be strong enough to protect the product and allow for stacking in the steel racks.  (The safety of our associates and members is our top priority.)  In addition, the club ready pallets need to quickly and efficiently communicate to our members (i.e. "self selling").  Our club associates do not have time to set-up displays for individual product, so once the stretchwrap and pallet packaging is removed, the product needs to be ready to be shopped.

With the help of both the packaging and product suppliers, we are constantly looking for new opportunities to both meet the Sam’s Club operational requirements and drive more sustainable packaging.  I look forward to discussing some of those opportunities, along with general packaging sustainability topics, in this blog forum.