• Walmart announced Thursday it plans to replace nearly all plastic mailers with paper mailers and to “rightsize” cardboard box packaging, part of a broader initiative to reduce packaging waste associated with online orders.
  • The world’s largest retailer expects the paper mailer transition will eliminate 65 million plastic mailers — or more than 2,000 tons of plastic — in the U.S. by the end of its fiscal year, which runs through Jan. 31. Additionally, it’s implementing technology in about half of its fulfillment network that helps create packages custom-fitted to an order, which can reduce the need for filler by 60% and reduce waste up to 26%, Walmart said.
  • Walmart also said the suite of changes will involve giving customers the choice to consolidate shipping of online orders and opt out of single-use plastic bags when picking up orders placed online, an option Walmart expects to offer nationwide by year’s end.