Retail

Walmart Canada – Green Engagement

Challenge

The challenge was to develop and launch a program that would get as many Walmart Canada associates as possible to understand and embrace sustainability by incorporating small changes into their lives that together would make a positive impact on their health, their community and their environment.

Stakeholders and Timing

The program was developed and launched in 6 months by a multi-divisional team including People (human resources), Corporate Affairs – Sustainability and an external consulting firm.

Objectives and Goals:

The objective was to create a culture of sustainability in the organization through a voluntary grassroots initiative designed to inspire and empower associates. The success of the program would be measured through the collection of PSPs – personal sustainability practices – that associates would voluntarily commit to. An ambitious target was set to collect 25,000 PSPs in the first 6 months of the program.

Actions:

• 4 Walmart managers were trained to be sustainability trainers

• Each store set up teams of PSP captains

• 14 PSP workshops were conducted for PSP captains and store managers across the country

• Each PSP captain was allotted 1-2 hours per week to promote PSP

• Promotional material was developed: posters, buttons, guides, etc

• Weekly and monthly phone conferences were conducted with PSP captains

• An intranet web-site provided supporting information and resources

• Pre and post surveys were conducted

• Results were tracked weekly and monthly

• Top PSP stores were recognized

 

Challenges and Difficulties:

The greatest difficulty was introducing the concept of personal sustainability to middle management and gaining their full support at the onset of the program. This difficulty was resolved through well planned interactive discussions that challenged managers to consider the impact that personal sustainability would have on their business unit. The discussions resulted in a cross-pollination of ideas and then generated the engagement the program required from these individuals.

Strategy

Result

• Over 69,000 PSPs in the first 6 months (target was 25,000)

• 75% increase in submission of innovative ideas to improve sustainable business practices

• 73% of associates said that PSP improved their life at work (survey)

• Environmental impact (In the first 6 months of the program, 3 542 associates committed to switching to CFL light bulbs. If they switched out just 4 bulbs at home, they would collectively save nearly 242 386 KWh of electricity in 90 days)

• Operational savings ($40,000 savings from reducing Styrofoam cups for associate lounges in first year)

• Over 400 sustainability community initiatives in the first year

• Increased recycling at Walmart Canada stores

• Support for corporate sustainability initiatives, such as reduction of plastic bags at check-outs and our summer two-thirds lighting program

• Spontaneous enthusiasm for promoting the sale of sustainable products

• Leadership development of PSP captains

• Health benefits to associates

• Cost savings to associates

• Enriched corporate culture

Business Case

It’s easier to develop a culture of sustainability in the work-place if associates already have that mind-set in their personal lives. For example, people will naturally recycle at work if it’s also a habit at home.

Lessons Learned

Developing a culture of sustainability is not difficult to do if it is done using the right means, if it is done with the right intention and if it is pursued with diligence.

For more information about this sustainability initiative, or others, please contact:

Veronica Maschek

Sustainability Specialist

Walmart Canada

905-821-2111 x 8011

vmasche@wal-mart.com