Walmart has partnered with organic recycling company Denali to implement food recycling services at over 1,400 Walmart and Sam’s Clubs locations.

The de-packaging technology separates food from its plastic and cardboard containers.

Walmart said the technology makes it easier to recycle food waste into animal feed or compost.

The retailer says it is one of the first retailers to use the technology at scale.
The recycling programme has been launched in 16 markets across the US, with the technology being rolled out by the retailer more widely next year.

Early testing of the technology resulted in the amount of reusable organic matter increasing by over 60 per cent, with Walmart estimating that compactor waste has been reduced by 12 per cent.

According to non-profit food waste company ReFED, the US produced around 77.6 million tons of food waste in 2022. Almost four per cent comes from retailers due to damaged or expired items that are unable to be sold to consumers, while around half of this goes to landfill.

“As a people-led, tech-powered retailer, Walmart is focused on driving innovations that build operational efficiency, improve store associates’ experience, and help reduce waste," said RJ Zanes, Walmart's vice president of facility services. “Denali’s de-packaging technology can help enable us to turn millions of pounds of potential food waste into useful products each year while allowing our associates to devote more time serving our customers.”

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