Plastic is ubiquitous in today's society. A great amount of plastic is specifically flowing into the packaging industry. However, economic and technical limitations cause most plastic packaging to have a linear and unsustainable life, often characterized by a very short use phase.

Walmart Canada has launched the Charter on Plastics in 2019. The retailer is working closely with suppliers to identify areas to curb plastic use and ensure the plastic that does remain is recyclable. 

To achieve the bold goals set out in the Charter, recent improvements include:

- Eliminating plastic wrap from organic bananas bunches which will remove about 14,000 lbs. of plastic

- Eliminating plastic wrap from single peppers which will remove about 193,000 lbs. of plastic

- Increasing post-consumer recycled content in the packaging holding baked goods, avoiding the use of 925,000 lbs. of new plastics annually

- Removing 420,000 lbs. of expanded poly styrene (a hard to recycle plastic) from entering the supply chain annually by introducing new packaging for sausage trays

In less than a year since launching the Walmart Canada Charter on Plastics, Walmart Canada has prevented more than 1.1 million pounds of plastic from entering the supply chain – the weight of 100 elephants.