Worldwise, Inc., a leading environmentally responsible consumer products company, has teamed up with Walmart to launch an innovative new program to bring the latest generation of environmentally responsible products to consumers nationwide. Under this partnership, Walmart will provide Worldwise with recyclable waste materials that will be turned into a variety of pet products for sale at Walmart starting in October 2010.
Using a proprietary processing method, Worldwise will be recycling the following Walmart materials into its products:
- Bottles are being recycled into dog beds
- Hangers are being turned into cat litter pans, scoops, and scratchers
- Bags are being converted into cat littler liners
- Corrugated cardboard is being processed into cat scratchers
The amount of these types of materials utilised annually by consumers and businesses is immense. For example, an estimated 50 billion water and soda bottles are consumed each year in the United States, while only approximately 25 per cent are recycled.
“This program will set a new standard for consumers looking for products that are better for themselves, their pocketbooks, and their planet,” said Aaron Lamstein, Executive Chairman for Worldwise. Inc. “We believe this has the potential to spark a revolution in how manufacturers and retailers can work collaboratively to offer better products for its customers.”
The Full Circle™ program is the result of years of effort by Worldwise to create a closed loop system that uses customer recyclables in the manufacturing process of new products. After working through a variety of complex supply chain and manufacturing challenges, stores are now stocked with PoochPlanet and SmartyKat pet products containing recycled Walmart materials.
“This program is the type of innovative thinking that will help Walmart reach its company wide goals for sustainability,” said John Kunkel, Sr. Buyer, Pets for Walmart. “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.”
“Creating ‘Closed Loop’ systems, that generally utilise waste from one process as the raw material for another, have long been hailed as an important model for more sustainable consumption,” said Matthew Turnbull, Worldwise CEO. “These Full Circle products prove that consumers do not have to sacrifice quality or pay higher prices for innovative pet products made from recycled materials.”
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
