Planet: A closed loop system

Walmart Program Benefits Pets, Pocketbook and Planet

Tim Albinson, 12/20/2010



In an ingenious move that brilliantly illustrates how closed loop systems can benefit both consumers and corporations, Walmart has introduced a new line of pet products that are made from the retail giant’s own recyclable waste materials.


A “closed loop system” uses customer recyclables in the manufacturing process of new products, and in this case, Walmart teamed up with Worldwise, Inc., a leading environmentally responsible consumer products company, to create PoochPlanet and SmartyKat pet products. Using a proprietary processing method Worldwise will make these pet products from the following Walmart materials:


- Bottles are being recycled into dog beds,
- Hangers are being turned into cat litter pans, scoops, and scratchers,
- Bags are being converated into cat littler liners, and
- Corrugated cardboard is being processed into cat scratchers.


“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.”


Recycling programs such as this one can have an enormous impact. Worldwise estimates that through PoochPlanet pet bed sales at Walmart and Sam’s Club in the next year, Worldwise will keep the equivalent of more than 100,000,000 16.9 oz. plastic bottles out of landfills. This includes the equivalent of approximately 25,000,000 16.9 oz bottles provided by Walmart and Sam’s Clubs.


Of course, Walmart, which has built a reputation as an industry leader in sustainability, also benefits from its partnership with Worldwise.


“This program is the type of innovative thinking that will help Walmart reach its company-wide goals for sustainability,” John Kunkel, Sr. Buyer, Pets for Walmart, said 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.”

all good... kudos to these great people helping to make our pets green too!