Even those with keen interest in sustainable supply chain measures and green procurement might have missed how Walmart quietly released their new Sustainable Product Index earlier this summer. Now, this index is still in its early stages – which is also highlighted by Walmart CEO Mike Duke in his presentation (available here) – still it’s a great primer for companies, especially retailers, looking into sustainable supply chain practices.
To build the index, Walmart offer suppliers to self assess their sustainability practices by asking questions around four areas:
- Energy and Climate
- Material Efficiency
- Natural Resources
- People and Community
The questions are not complex, yet they provide a great starting point for companies striving towards a systematic approach to sustainable supply chain practices.
The 15 questions are available online here: http://walmartstores.com/download/3863.pdf
