Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

    The world’s largest company by revenue does not want to be a top source of greenhouse gas emissions. Walmart was already working to reduce emissions from its own operations; last year, the mega-retailer launched Project Gigaton, which aims to help its suppliers do the same. The goal: Helping suppliers avoid 1 billion tons of emissions by 2030, by using more renewable energy and more recycled content in packaging. By the end of 2017, Walmart said it had diverted about 78% of waste from its facilities that would have gone to landfills, thanks to recycling and other measures.

    In a separate sustainability effort, Walmart is also moving to cut waste in its grocery business—a significant move from a company that has become the largest grocer in the U.S. Such efforts don’t just protect the environment; they also protect Walmart’s operating margins.

    CORRECTION: This article has been updated to more accurately describe the activity covered by Project Gigaton.

    Company Information

    Impact SegmentEnvironmental Impact
    SectorRetailing
    IndustryGeneral Merchandisers
    CEOC. Douglas McMillon
    Websitewww.stock.walmart.com
    Employees2,300,000
    Company TypePublic
    Revenues ($M) (Last Fiscal Year)$500,343
    Profits ($M) (Last Fiscal Year)$9,862
    Market Value ($M)$265,337