Wal-Mart Announces New Sustainability Plans

BEIJING — Wal-Mart Stores announced today that by the end of 2017 it will buy 70% of the goods it sells in U.S. stores and in U.S. Sam’s Clubs only from suppliers in the United States, China and around the world who use its Sustainability Index to evaluate their products.  

This change will involve suppliers who produce goods in categories where the Index, launched in 2009 to measure the sustainability of products, is available. The announcement was made at an event here with government officials, nongovernmental organizations, academics, suppliers and company associates.

In addition, beginning in 2013 Wal-Mart will use the Sustainability Index to influence the design of its U.S. private brand products. The company will also change the way its global sourcing merchants are evaluated; beginning in 2013, these buyers will join key buyers in Wal-Mart U.S. and Sam’s Club who have specific sustainability objectives on their annual evaluations. 

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Wal-Mart also said the Wal-Mart Foundation will grant $2 million to fund The Sustainability Consortium (TSC), an independent research organization, and assist in its efforts in launching TSC in China.

“Today I’m proud to announce a series of steps and commitments that will make Wal-Mart’s supply chain, in the United States, here in China, and around the world, more sustainable,” said Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer, Wal-Mart Stores, in a statement. “The impact of these commitments will be global and make a difference with products sold around the globe.”