Worldwise Transforms Wal-Mart Recyclable Waste into Pet Products

by | Oct 8, 2010

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Wal-Mart and Worldwise have launched a new program that uses recyclable waste materials to manufacture pet products. Under the partnership, Wal-Mart will provide Worldwise with recyclable waste materials that will be turned into a variety of pet products for sale at Wal-Mart starting in October 2010.

Worldwise plans to recycle the following Wal-Mart materials into its products:

–Plastic bottles are being recycled into dog beds
–Plastic hangers are being turned into cat litter pans, scoops, and scratchers
–Plastic bags are being converted into cat littler liners
–Corrugated cardboard is being processed into cat scratchers

The Full Circle program is the culmination of efforts by Worldwise to create a closed loop system that uses customer recyclables in the manufacturing process for new products.

“This program is the type of innovative thinking that will help Wal-Mart reach its company wide goals for sustainability,” said John Kunkel, senior buyer, pets, for Wal-Mart, in a statement. “We are committed to creating zero waste and the closed loop partnership with Worldwise is a perfect example of how retailers and suppliers can cooperate to innovate and achieve greater sustainability,” he added.

Wal-Mart has committed to eliminating landfill waste from U.S. stores and Sam’s Club locations by 2025. From February 2009 through January 2010, the company redirected more than 64 percent of the waste generated by these facilities. In 2009 alone, Wal-Mart recycled more than 1.3 million pounds of aluminum, 120 million pounds of plastics, 11.6 million pounds of mixed paper and 4.6 billion pounds of cardboard.

Worldwise estimates it will keep the equivalent of more than 100,000,000 16.9 oz. plastic bottles out of landfills through PoochPlanet pet bed sales at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club over the next year. This includes the equivalent of approximately 25,000,000 16.9 oz bottles provided by Wal-Mart and Sam’s Clubs.

The nine PoochPlanet and SmartyKat pet products, under the Full Circle program, at Wal-Mart stores are labeled with the brand’s EcoAdvantages logo as well as the Full Circle insignia.

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