Waste

OVERVIEW

One of our primary sustainability goals is to create zero waste, including redirecting all of the waste created by our U.S. operations from landfills by 2025, and reducing packaging in our supply chain by 5 percent by 2013. In 2005, we announced a short-term goal to reduce waste in our U.S. operations by 25 percent by 2008. To move toward these goals, we are working with suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging and waste that enters our stores so we don't have to throw it away.

Around the world, we continue to develop new initiatives that strengthen our business. By focusing on the three "Rs" — reduce, reuse and recycle — when we think about waste, we identify new opportunities to reduce our waste stream. For example, our ASDA stores in the United Kingdom have reduced the weight of their food packaging by 25 percent when compared to 2005. And in Japan, our Seiyu stores have been able to recycle approximately 75 percent of their total store waste by separating waste into 12 different categories. These are just a few examples of how we are reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and our use of natural resources.