Walmart 2009 Annual Report Download - page 12

10 Wal-Mart 2009 Annual Report
At Wal-Mart, everything we do  ows from our purpose of
saving people money so they can live better. This purpose
sets the standard for how we deliver on our business results
and the expectation that we will improve lives around the
world. We embrace our responsibility as a global company
to lead and collaborate on issues important to associates,
customers, members, suppliers and shareholders.
We have defined three areas – associate opportunity,
sustainability and responsible sourcing – that are critical to
Wal-Mart now and in the future. Beyond these commitments,
we also make a di erence in our communities every day
by giving back, by creating volunteer opportunities for our
associates to give of their time and talent, as well as through
the resources of the Wal-Mart Foundation.
Associate Opportunity
At Wal-Mart, we created more than 63,000 jobs worldwide
this past year, including 33,000 in the United States. Just as
important, we will create thousands more again this year.
These are good jobs that o er competitive wages and bene ts.
A job with Wal-Mart is one with a future. We invest in our
associates through career development and training to
advance. We open the door to career path flexibility and
o er associates the chance to build a long-term career. Today,
thousands of associates around the world are managing stores
and clubs because they advanced through the Company
after starting in entry-level positions.
Sustainability
Wal-Mart has both a responsibility and an opportunity to be
a leader in sustainability. “Sustainability 360” is our Company-
wide e ort to take sustainability beyond our direct footprint to
encompass Wal-Mart’s associates, suppliers, communities and
customers. Through this initiative, we are helping our suppliers
and customers become more energy-e cient and independent.
After evaluating our own environmental impact, we set goals
to supply 100 percent of our energy needs through renewable
sources, to generate zero waste and to promote markets for
environmentally sound products. Already, we have made
progress, which will make Wal-Mart even more efficient,
innovative and competitive.
Last year, for example, Wal-Mart set out to make its most
energy-intensive products 25 percent more efficient by
2011 and to double the sales of items that make homes
more energy-e cient.
Our U.S. logistics team saved almost $200 million last year
through productivity and fuel-efficiency programs. These
initiatives not only saved money, but also improved energy
usage and reduced our emissions. Equally as important, they
are now a permanent part of our transportation program.
Increasingly, we feature environmentally friendly products
in our stores and clubs. From Alabama to Mexico City, we
prefer to sell locally grown produce and sustainably harvested
wood products. We recycle everything possible – from card-
board to plastic – and are pleased that more and more
customers are using our sustainable, reusable bags.
Responsible Sourcing
As the purchasing agent for our customers, Wal-Mart’s goal
is to encourage improvements in sustainability and ethical
practices among suppliers. We are committed to ethical
sourcing to improve the quality of life for the workers who
make and grow the merchandise and food we sell.
At our Beijing Sustainability Summit in October, we made
it clear that we expect suppliers to continue to comply with
ethical standards and environmental laws. We are strengthen-
ing relationships with suppliers that share our commitment to
responsible sourcing, innovation, e ciency and sustainability.
Giving Back to Communities
The Wal-Mart Foundation is dedicated to supporting
programs that help people live better, primarily by expanding
access to education, health care, and job opportunities, as
well as by promoting responsible sourcing. We can make
the greatest impact on communities by supporting causes
important to our customers and neighborhoods. We also
continue to help communities rebuild after natural disasters
with  nancial support and donations of merchandise necessary
to recovery e orts.
HIGHLIGHTS
Saving on Customers’ Energy Bills:
Since 2007, our U.S. stores and clubs have sold
260 million compact fluorescent light bulbs,
saving customers more than $7 billion on
their electric bills, enough energy to power
more than 1.6 million single-family homes.
Achieving “Zero Waste”: We are
making strides in our goal to create
zero waste. ASDA Bootle is the first
“zero waste to landfill” store in the
United Kingdom, diverting 95 percent
of waste from landfills.
Now More Than Ever
WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE A