Walmart's Innovative Approach to Sustainable Food Waste Management

Walmart Inc. is taking a significant step towards reducing food waste and promoting sustainability within its retail operations. The company is implementing new technology and streamlined processes to help store associates efficiently separate expired food from its packaging, a crucial step in creating cleaner waste streams and unlocking potential sustainability opportunities.

Revolutionizing Food Waste Recycling at Walmart

Streamlining the Depackaging Process

Walmart's new "Zero Depack" program is designed to simplify the process of separating expired or unsalable food items from their packaging. By implementing technology from organics recycler Denali, Walmart is empowering its store associates to spend less time on the recycling process and more time focused on customer-facing activities.The process is straightforward: at each Walmart and Sam's Club store equipped with Zero Depack, associates toss expired food items into a designated receptacle. Denali's technology then separates the food from its packaging material with up to 97% accuracy, significantly reducing the manual effort required.This streamlined approach not only saves time for Walmart's associates but also creates cleaner waste streams, paving the way for more sustainable disposal and recycling options.

Unlocking Sustainability Opportunities

By making the separation of expired or unsalable food from its packaging easier, Walmart is opening the door to a range of sustainability opportunities. When the food waste is picked up from participating Walmart or Sam's Club stores by Denali, the materials can be converted into valuable byproducts.One potential outcome is the conversion of these unsalable items into biosolids, which can be used for various farming applications, such as compost or livestock feed. The precise output depends on the nature of the original material, but the goal is to divert as much waste from landfills as possible and find productive uses for the discarded food.

Reducing In-Store Waste with AI

Walmart's efforts to reduce in-store waste extend beyond the Zero Depack program. The company has also been exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and address waste-related issues within its stores.According to recent reports, Walmart has been testing AI-powered systems that can detect and alert store associates to potential waste-related problems, such as expired or damaged products. By leveraging this technology, Walmart can proactively address these issues, ensuring that fewer items end up in the waste stream.

Driving Sustainability Across the Retail Landscape

Walmart's initiatives to improve the sustainability of its food waste management are part of a broader industry-wide effort to address the growing problem of food waste. As one of the largest retailers in the world, Walmart's actions can have a significant impact on the overall sustainability of the retail sector.By sharing its learnings and best practices, Walmart can inspire and encourage other retailers to adopt similar strategies, ultimately driving a more sustainable future for the industry. As consumers become increasingly conscious of environmental issues, Walmart's commitment to reducing food waste can also enhance its brand reputation and appeal to eco-conscious shoppers.