Walmart seeks gains for people and planet
Walmart has increased its commitment to sustainability over the past 15 years and that track record continues to grow, according to Anabella de Freeman, the company’s senior manager for sustainable produce.
De Freeman spoke about Walmart’s recent commitment to being a regenerative company and other sustainability initiatives in an interview with The Packer’s editor Tom Karst Nov. 10 at the virtual West Coast Produce Expo.
In September, Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon said the company and the Walmart Foundation is committing to help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030.
De Freeman joined Walmart’s Central American operations 21 years ago and is now based at the company’s Bentonville, Ark., headquarters.
Being a regenerative company means “de-carbonizing” operations and eliminating waste along the supply chain, she said.
“It means encouraging the adoption of regenerative practices in agriculture, forest management and fisheries, while advancing prosperity and equity for customers, associates and people across our supply chains,” she said. “Working with our suppliers and customers, NGOs and others, we hope to play a part in transforming the world’s supply chains to be more regenerative.”
The produce industry can adopt regenerative practices by shifting to more renewable energy sources to power facilities, adopting regenerative agriculture practices, diverting waste from landfills and using more sustainable packaging, she said.
Examples of sustainable packaging, she said, include eliminating plastic when it is not needed, making packaging recyclable and manufacturing packaging with recycled content.
Setting ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reporting that progress is another way produce suppliers can show their commitment, she said, along with cutting food waste.
Reducing greenhouse gases is critical, but De Freeman also said that sustainable packaging measures and taking care of people also are very important.
“We are strong supporters of the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices, and a lot of our suppliers are starting to publicly endorse the charter,” she said. “Working towards responsible labor practices is a very important part of sustainability as well.”
De Freeman said much work remains to be done, but the goal is worth it.
“In the journey from now on until 2040, there’s a lot to do and I think we are really going to be making changes, not just for (this generation), but for generations to come.”
