Even if (or perhaps especially when) it’s a giant like Walmart. The name Walmart does not usually fall lightly in my presence and generally evokes a strong response. Realizing the potential the largest retailer has to influence the awareness and actions of so many – suppliers and consumers alike – I’m attempting to approach the Sustainability Index spawned by Walmart with a positive outlook.
The Sustainability Index, as Walmart will happily admit, is not meant to be specific to one retailer, one industry, one market segment. It is for all and to be owned by all. So many organizations have already made tremendous strides in this arena and will have much to contribute. And that’s a good thing, because in looking at the extent and content of their sustainability reporting as well as the somewhat lacking ‘15 Questions for Suppliers’, Walmart could use some help. The work is not trivial and will take years to develop. The Sustainability Consortium and organizations like the World Resources Institute will help create a consistent framework for companies to report and consumers to understand the sustainability of their products.
If Walmart is truly serious, this is a huge opportunity. They must be committed, however, and not only at the expense of others. They must be willing to work in partnership with their suppliers rather than just making a lot of demands. They need to understand and communicate the full depth of their slogan - “Save Money, Live Better” - so that it includes not just $s, but environmental and social costs and benefits as well.
They won't be serious unless we're serious. It is up to all of us. If you shop at Walmart and they are profiting from your purchases, you can demand better quality, more choices, and a reduced footprint. As a consumer, you will be able to make more informed choices. If you supply to Walmart and they are profiting from your products, you can demand that they share in the effort to bring sustainable products to market and recognize as well as communicate the benefits. As a supplier you can leverage this collaborative challenge as an opportunity to improve your products and increase your value.
Whether something termed a ‘super-center’ can ever be considered sustainable, is up for serious debate. In the meantime, the Sustainability Index initiative will bring us closer to a clearer understanding of:
- what we are spending (and in turn saving) - as much in terms of less visible resources like water, energy, and fair labor as out-of-pocket $s, and
- how it will better our lives - not only by immediate gratification thru use or perceived status, but also long-term waste reduction, improved health, and a thriving ecosystem.
Regardless of how I might feel about Walmart, that's a good thing.
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