Concentrated Liquid a Clean Sweep at Wal-Mart
If you're looking for normal-strength liquid detergent at Wal-Mart, forget it. The retailer said yesterday it has achieved its planned goal of offering only concentrated liquid laundry detergent in all of its stores in the U.S. and Canada.
The milestone fulfills a commitment Lee Scott, president and c.e.o. of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., made at the Clinton Global Initiative in Sept. 2007. Since October 2007, Wal-Mart has been gradually phasing out larger bottles of detergent and filling the shelf space with compact versions. The transition occurred in waves, starting in the Southern region with Florida and Texas, and finishing in the Northeast this week with New York and Massachusetts.
Wal-Mart said that its transition to selling only concentrated detergent has been a catalyst for transforming the entire liquid laundry detergent category, across the retail industry; and is saving vast amounts of natural resources as a result.
By selling only concentrated liquid laundry detergent, Wal-Mart estimated that over three years its commitment should save more than 400 million gallons of water; more than 95 million pounds of plastic resin; and more than 125 million pounds of cardboard.
"This commitment moves us closer to our goal to drive waste out of our supply chain, while continuing to offer our customers affordable, environmentally friendly products," said Matt Kistler, Wal-Mart's s.v.p. of sustainability. "The innovative thinking and strategic collaboration with our suppliers was key to making this project and commitment a success."
Wal-Mart said it worked with its leading detergent manufacturers to bring concentrated versions of brand favorites to market, including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Dial, Huish, and Church & Dwight. Through the commitment, Wal-Mart expects to sell more than 800 million units of concentrated detergent over the next three years.
The milestone fulfills a commitment Lee Scott, president and c.e.o. of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., made at the Clinton Global Initiative in Sept. 2007. Since October 2007, Wal-Mart has been gradually phasing out larger bottles of detergent and filling the shelf space with compact versions. The transition occurred in waves, starting in the Southern region with Florida and Texas, and finishing in the Northeast this week with New York and Massachusetts.
Wal-Mart said that its transition to selling only concentrated detergent has been a catalyst for transforming the entire liquid laundry detergent category, across the retail industry; and is saving vast amounts of natural resources as a result.
By selling only concentrated liquid laundry detergent, Wal-Mart estimated that over three years its commitment should save more than 400 million gallons of water; more than 95 million pounds of plastic resin; and more than 125 million pounds of cardboard.
"This commitment moves us closer to our goal to drive waste out of our supply chain, while continuing to offer our customers affordable, environmentally friendly products," said Matt Kistler, Wal-Mart's s.v.p. of sustainability. "The innovative thinking and strategic collaboration with our suppliers was key to making this project and commitment a success."
Wal-Mart said it worked with its leading detergent manufacturers to bring concentrated versions of brand favorites to market, including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Dial, Huish, and Church & Dwight. Through the commitment, Wal-Mart expects to sell more than 800 million units of concentrated detergent over the next three years.