We’ve just complete the 4^th Annual Sustainable Packaging Expo (see link to article on www.walmartstores.com).  What a success!  Over 2,200 supplier representatives, buyers and exhibitors attended the Expo, making connections to drive more sustainable packaging.  I know that the time spent talking with the exhibitors and learning in the breakout sessions will result in packaging improvements in the coming months…  I plan to discuss them in this blog, as the new packaging launches into the Stores and Clubs.

The quality of the packaging discussions seemed even better this year at the Expo.  Packaging suppliers came prepared to discuss innovation that was ready for commercialization and innovation that needs some additional support to move into the market.

A great example was shown in the Natureworks booth, highlighting the PLA resin being used in the new Sun Chips bag.  Right now, the bag is made from ~33% PLA…  but Frito Lay has committed to launching a 100% PLA bag by Earth Day 2010.  One of the key benefits of a 100% PLA bag is that the material is plant based and annually renewable.  I recommend that you check out the Natureworks website for additional details.  The FAQ section is very helpful to better understand the resin.

There was a story about the Sun Chips packaging change in USA Today last week as well.  You can read the article through this link.

It is critical that the packaging suppliers, product suppliers, and retail buyers work closely together to implement the more sustainable packaging that was displayed at the Expo.  The connections made at the Expo need to continue so that we can work through any challenges.  Together, we can do what’s right for our customers, the business, and the environment.

Here's some pictures from the Expo.  A birds eye view of the trade show floor, followed by a picture from one of our well attended breakout sessions.

 First off, I have to apologize for being quiet for so long.  It has been a wonderfully busy several months with work, and lets face it, I just got out of the habit of writing.  Much has happened at Walmart since my last blog.  Our CEO, Lee Scott retired, and was replaced by Mike Duke, a man whose integrity I greatly admire.  He and I spent several days learning about the effect of climate change on glaciers two years ago, and I was, and am very excited to have him leading our company.  He is a great business leader, and he is also a great advocate of sustainability.  In fact, at our most recent corporate sustainability meeting the last week in January he said of our sustainability goals: “We’ll learn from the past, and then accelerate and broaden our efforts for the future.”

Since then, we have been driving sustainability even faster than before.  We have been working on several of the goals that we set that had end dates of this year, and we were pleased to be able to announce that several came to pass including the goal to increase the fuel efficiency of our fleets by 25%.  Additionally, we’ve been preparing for more communication with our customers…you.  As of right now, we are beginning a program we call Earth Month in our stores and in our ads.  In honor of Earth Day, April 22, we decided to declare the entire month of April Earth Month, and take the opportunity to share with our customers some of the things we have learned. 

Wal-Mart stores from Brazil to China to Canada will be telling the stories of products that are better alternatives for the planet and for your family.  Products like Cold Water Tide that can save our customers up to $150/year in water heating costs, Bissell Vacuums that are made using the plastic that we recycled from Walmart’s own waste stream, and SC Johnson’s new Nature’s Source cleaners using amazing chemistry for the environment and effectiveness help tell the story of small changes that add up to a big difference.   We hope all of our customers will discover that the purchases they make are important, and that they can choose wisely for the environment and their wallets.

In the US, we are also doing some things to make this effort a little more engaging than you can get thru normal marketing.  One of the more interesting things we decided to try out is called the “Earth Day, Every Day” School Challenge.  It involves arguably some of the most creative and committed among us – our kids! This year, we want to give school administrators, teachers or parents the opportunity to tell us about what they are doing for the planet at your school. You might be interested, and if so, please enter the challenge here. Your school could win a $500 Walmart gift card and the chance to compete for a $20,000 grant, to be used toward activities and projects that will help make your school a little more sustainable.

If you aren’t interested in the school challenge, I’d still love to hear about what you are doing for Earth Month. Or better yet, visit our YouTube channel and tell the whole world!

Rand

The 4th Annual Wal-Mart Sustainable Packaging Exposition (shortened to Expo in the rest of the entry) is coming up, and it’s got me thinking about trade show etiquette.  I see trade shows as a valuable tool where a two minute conversation may turn into a game changing solution, and I hope everyone who attends the Expo will agree.

The first thing I do when I am at a trade show is commit to keeping my head up and eyes open.  I have seen those people at various events who keep their head down, eyes focused on the supplier list or floor map… rather than potentially make eye contact and get pulled into talking with someone representing an exhibiting company. By keeping my eyes up, I can see what each supplier is trying to tell me about their packaging and services.  Only then can I find new solutions to make more sustainable packaging.

If I see anything that has even the slightest potential, I will move in to start a conversation.  I typically begin with an intro of who I am and what I’m responsible for:
-Robert Parvis
-Sam’s Club Packaging
-responsible for all private label packaging in the Club (Member’s Mark, Bakers & Chefs, etc)
-also an active leader within our Packaging Sustainable Value Network (SVN)

I then ask the supplier to tell me what packaging, services, etc they provide, and how they think they could help improve my packages.  The initial exchange can take as few as 2 minutes.  If there’s no need for additional conversation, we can part ways just as easily as we came together.

But this is what happens more often then not… we find an area where we may be able to work together to create a more sustainable package.  If I had just blown by their booth, I would have missed that opportunity.

My hope is that everyone who attends the Expo will make the same commitment as me.  Com prepared to find packaging solutions.  Look through your item list, look through the supply chain, and find opportunities.

The Expo is April 14th and 15th, 8am-5pm, at the John Q Hammonds Center in Rogers. 
Attendance is open to all current Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club product suppliers, but you need to register prior to the event.  Go to this website to get additional details and register: www.walmart.walmartmeetings.com

I can't forget to mention the "Information Sessions".  See the invitiation for more details, but you should know that the sessions were very popular in 2008, so you'll need to sign-up soon.  Its a great way to get a high level overview of some key challenges and solutions in the packaging industry.

I look forward to seeing you there!  Here's some pictures from the 2008 event.

 It is always difficult to quickly summarize what you do, but as a way of introduction to the Checkout Blog site, I will do my best! 

I am a Packaging Manager for Sam’s Club and an active part of the Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Packaging SVN Leadership team.  In my daily work, I will touch the packaging of items all across the club, ranging from gas grills to fresh sausages to liquid laundry detergent.  My goal is to improve each package that I work on: reduce damages, maximize value, and improve the experience for everyone who touches the package.

Since I joined the company in May of 2007, I have also had the pleasure of being part of the Packaging Sustainable Value Network Leadership team that is working on packaging in both Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart stores.  We work with key stakeholders to drive more sustainable packaging within the company and in the industry.  I am very close to the development, improvement, and use of the packaging scorecard.  It is exciting to be working on such key initiatives within the company, and I know that my work my work can have a lasting impact not just on the company, but on the environment.

Sam’s Club product packaging is much different than the packaging needed for a typical retail environment.  Generally speaking, we do not stock shelves, do not “front face” product, and do not have storage space besides the steel racks above our club floors.

What does this mean for our product suppliers?  The packaging has to be ready for this enviornment.  We require club ready pallets that will be strong enough to protect the product and allow for stacking in the steel racks.  (The safety of our associates and members is our top priority.)  In addition, the club ready pallets need to quickly and efficiently communicate to our members (i.e. "self selling").  Our club associates do not have time to set-up displays for individual product, so once the stretchwrap and pallet packaging is removed, the product needs to be ready to be shopped.

With the help of both the packaging and product suppliers, we are constantly looking for new opportunities to both meet the Sam’s Club operational requirements and drive more sustainable packaging.  I look forward to discussing some of those opportunities, along with general packaging sustainability topics, in this blog forum.

                              Yesterday as I was picking several of my still-green tomatoes so they wouldn’t be ruined by a frost and putting them inside a paper bag so they’d ripen, I started thinking.  It is getting cold, and with that I wanted to share a few of the things I have learned about heating bills.

So, I have to say, I am amazed at the ROI and impact of some of the energy saving home products.  When you consider that 45% of the energy bill for a home goes to heating/cooling the air and an average home will spend over $2K/year on their energy bill, it makes sense to focus here if you want to save money and lower their environmental impact. 

With this in mind, there are a lot of items that can impact this...as you look at the image, you probably already know how effective programable thermostats can be, but you may not know how great a few other items can be:  weather stripping, curtains, and air filters. 

Weather stripping can save normal customers $200/year on their bills.  There is a caveat though, it has to be installed properly.  On that note, I have been really excited to see that buyer and Henkel have done a really good job of changing the packaging.  Turn over the package for weather stripping, and I think you’ll be surprised at how good the instructions are now.  That might sound kind of silly, I know, but I really think that was the big obstacle…helping people feel comfortable that they can do it correctly.

Curtains are one a lot of people don’t think about …and there is a new “Eclipse” curtain that is especially good.  This curtain reduces light and even noise, but it also helps to trap any cold air that seeps in thru the windows.  I had this kind of curtain last winter, and there was a noticeable difference in temperature when you put your hand between the window and closed curtain. 

Finally, just like in your car, clean air filters in your house are very important to keeping energy costs down.  Your furnace is probably running now quite a bit, and keeping the filter clean makes it easier for the air to pass thru.  This means your system needs less energy to pull that air in, and of course this helps you keep the air cleaner in the house.   Personally, I try to remember to change the filters every 3 months…but my wife is better at remembering than I am.