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    Wal-Mart Promotes Cleaner Production & Energy Efficiency Among Its Central American Suppliers

    By Keith R | January 13, 2009

    Topics: Corporate Social Responsibility, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Protection | 2 Comments »

          
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    From Wal-Mart:

    Wal-Mart Stores and World Environment Center Launch Cleaner Production Partnership in Central America

    The World Environment Center (WEC), in partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., today announced the launch of a major initiative which aims to increase cleaner production and energy efficiency (CP/EE) practices in two countries, El Salvador and Guatemala. The project is conducted through the U.S. Department of State funded “Cleaner Production Private Sector Partnerships” project in Central America.

    WEC will work with Wal-Mart Stores’ small and medium local suppliers to provide technical assistance in the areas of: energy and water savings; waste, raw material and emissions reductions; implementation of environmental management systems; and accessing financial resources. More than 24 suppliers will benefit from the project, which will be overseen by WEC’s Central America office based in San Salvador and directed by WEC´s Latin America Operations Director, Mr. Ernesto Samayoa.

    “Our partnership with Wal-Mart will play a crucial role in promoting sustainable economic development in the local communities where these Small and Medium suppliers operate,” stated Dr. Terry F. Yosie, president and CEO of the World Environment Center.

    “At Wal-Mart, we are committed to working closely with our suppliers around the world to build a world class, sustainable supply chain,” said Craig Herkert, president and CEO for the Americas, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.“Through this partnership with WEC in Central America, we are able to share best practices and support businesses in the communities where we operate.”

    The official launch of the partnership between WEC and Wal-Mart through the Department of State project, will take place on January 13 and 15, 2009 in Guatemala and El Salvador, respectively. The launches will be attended by representatives of the U.S. Department of State, WEC, Wal-Mart Stores, Wal-Mart suppliers, local private sector associations, and other stakeholders including senior level officials of the Ministries of Economy and Environment of both countries.

    ___________________

    Desde Wal-Mart:

    Wal-Mart Stores y el World Environment Center inician una asociación por una producción más limpia en América Central

    El World Environment Center (WEC), en asociación con Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., anunció hoy el lanzamiento de una importante iniciativa con el objetivo de incrementar las prácticas de producción más limpia y eficiencia energética (CP/EE por sus siglas en inglés) en dos países, El Salvador y Guatemala. El proyecto se realiza a través del proyecto “Cleaner Production Private Sector Partnerships” (Asociaciones del Sector Privado para una Producción Más Limpia), financiado por el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos en Centroamérica.

    WEC trabajará con suministradores locales pequeños y medianos de Wal-Mart Stores para proporcionar asistencia técnica en las áreas de: ahorro de energía y agua; reducción de desperdicios, materia prima y emisiones; implementación de sistemas de gestión ambiental, y acceso a recursos financieros. Más de 24 suministradores se beneficiarán con el proyecto, que estará supervisado por la oficina centroamericana de WEC, radicada en San Salvador, y dirigido por el Director de Operaciones en América Latina de WEC, Ernesto Samayoa.

    “Nuestra asociación con Wal-Mart tendrá un papel crucial en la promoción del desarrollo económico sostenible en las comunidades locales donde operan estos suministradores pequeños y medianos”, declaró el doctor Terry F. Yosie, presidente y CEO del World Environment Center.

    “En Wal-Mart, tenemos el compromiso de trabajar en estrecha relación con nuestros suministradores en todo el mundo para construir una cadena de suministro sostenible y de categoría mundial”, dijo Craig Herkert, presidente y CEO para las Américas de Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Mediante esta asociación con WEC en América Central, podemos compartir las mejores prácticas y apoyar negocios en las comunidades donde operamos”.

    El lanzamiento oficial de la asociación entre WEC y Wal-Mart a través del proyecto del Departamento de Estado tendrá lugar el 13 y el 15 de enero de 2009 en Guatemala y El Salvador, respectivamente. A los lanzamientos asistirán representantes del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos, WEC, Wal-Mart Stores, suministradores de Wal-Mart, asociaciones locales del sector privado, y otros partícipes, entre ellos altos funcionarios de los Ministerios de Economía y Medio Ambiente de ambos países.

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    2 Responses to “Wal-Mart Promotes Cleaner Production & Energy Efficiency Among Its Central American Suppliers”

    1. Justin A Says:

      This sounds great! I’m glad to see that the “discount superstore” is starting to have a conscience.

    2. Keith R Says:

      Hi Justin. Welcome to the Temas Blog! I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Wal-Mart initiatives in the last two years, at least as they apply to Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC). They seem to be faithfully implementing their commitment to reduce use of plastic bags by 50% throughout their LAC stores (more than their US pledge). See:
      http://www.temasactuales.com/temasblog/corporate-social-responsibility/wal-marts-commitment-to-reduce-plastic-bag-use-in-lac/
      http://www.temasactuales.com/temasblog/environmental-protection/waste-recycling/wal-mart-brasil-provides-discounts-for-not-using-plastic-bags/

      They’ve promoted locally grown organic foods in many of their stores, giving a big market boost to farmers. They’ve conducted recycling campaigns for things like PET bottles and drink cans, and installed recycling posts at their stores. They’re installing solar panels and solar water heating systems in stores. They’re promoting compact fluorescents (CFLs) and environmentally-friendly household cleaning products. They hosted Unilever’s “Casa do Bem” environmental education project. Some of their stores are recycling the plastics and pallets their shipping departments use. They recently set up a model “environmentally correct” superstore in Brazil.

      And now they’re trying to green their local supply chains.

      All of which makes me hopeful for a “multiplier effect” — that their competitors like Carrefour and Pão de Açúcar will move to match or better these initiatives, and in the process, do more to green LAC retailing than most regulatory initiatives ever would. Well, I can dream, can’t I? 🙂

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