Wal-Mart Canada recently announced the launch of an innovative polystyrene recycling program and a significant step towards meeting its sustainability goal of producing zero waste. Grace Canada, a producer of specialty construction materials, will collect used expandable polystyrene packaging from eight Wal-Mart Canada locations and reuse it in the production of its fire-resistant commercial insulation product.

Commonly referred to as Styrofoam, a trademarked brand of polystyrene thermal insulation material, polystyrene is a non-biodegradable plastic resin that takes hundreds of years to break down. Used commonly in product packaging, polystyrene has a high volume and low weight, which gives it a low scrap value.

"As we work with our merchandise suppliers long-term to eliminate the polystyrene used in products and packaging, we're also looking at interim solutions to divert this waste from landfill," said John Lawrence, director of corporate social responsibility for Wal-Mart Canada. "We have ambitious sustainability goals and continue to seek innovative solutions in order to meet them. We've found an answer that is a triple win, for Wal-Mart Canada, Grace Canada and most importantly, the environment."

"This is an excellent example of the "zero waste" thinking that we need here in Ontario. Almost all waste materials have some value that can be recovered and turned into new products," said the Hon. John Gerretsen,
Minister of Environment. "I am encouraged that Wal-Mart Canada and Grace Canada have taken the lead on this exciting project."

In recent years, Wal-Mart Canada has adopted numerous waste diversion initiatives across its operations in order to minimize its environmental footprint. In-store, multi-stream waste diversion programs currently recycle
paper fibres, beverage containers as well as plastic bags and film. In 2007, Wal-Mart Canada diverted over 100,000,000 kilograms of waste from landfill and has seen an over 20 per cent increase in waste diversion already over last year.

"We're finding that sustainable change is key to the sustainability of the environment and our business," added Lawrence. "At the same time as our efforts are positively affecting the environment, we've also seen significant
cost savings for our company, as a result of these programs, that we're then able to pass on to our customers."
    
Grace Canada will recycle the polystyrene at its Ajax plant using a proprietary process, pioneered by the company's in-house engineers. The company began recycling polystyrene at three North American plants, including Ajax, in 1997. To-date, Grace Canada and its parent company W. R. Grace & Co., have recycled over 34.9 million kilograms or 77 million pounds of foam polystyrene. The Ajax plant alone has the capacity to reuse approximately four million pounds of the material.

The following Wal-Mart Canada locations in Southern Ontario will pilot the polystyrene recycling program:

• Wal-Mart Canada home office, Mississauga
• Ajax Wal-Mart Canada store, 270 Kingston Road East, RR No. 1
• Hanover Wal-Mart Canada store,1100 - 10th Street
• Oshawa Wal-Mart Canada store, 1471 Harmony Road
• Pickering Wal-Mart Canada store, 1899 Brock Road
• Pickering Sam's Club, 1899 Brock Road, Unit No. 1
• Scarborough East Wal-Mart Canada store, 799 Milner Avenue
• Whitby Wal-Mart Canada store, 4100 Baldwin Street (S)

This initiative is part of a wider sustainability strategy and focus for Wal-Mart Canada. Since 2005, the company has been actively working towards three long-term sustainability goals globally and in Canada:

     1. To produce zero waste;
     2. To be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy; and,
     3. To make more environmentally preferable products available to customers.

Recently, the company launched its second Corporate Social Responsibility Report, highlighting not only its progress in environmental sustainability but in community investment and involvement, global sourcing and people. The report is available online at https://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/microsite/CorpVal/index.jsp

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