In a country as large as Mexico, it’s a huge challenge to collect and process waste for recycling. Unfortunately, a significant amount of waste ends up in landfill, but Walmart and Smurfit Kappa are working to change that.  

Sharing sustainable values is the reason why the relationship between both companies has become closer over the years. Smurfit Kappa is committed to minimising our environmental impact and maximising our social contribution while creating value for all our stakeholders. In 2004, Smurfit Kappa became Walmart’s waste manager in Mexico. Since then, more than 3,000 stores across the country have been involved in the tailor-made plan, which includes collection, transportation and recycling services.  

The success of the partnership was recently recognised when Smurfit Kappa Mexico was awarded the ‘Walmart Award for Sustainable Supplier of 2022’.  

The partnership continues to evolve and, through seeking to create greater social awareness, and involving Walmart’s customers, we are working on a pilot test for a new recycling programme. This will provide facilities for consumers to deposit all sorts of recyclable material including paper, carton, plastic and aluminium.  

“We have a close partnership that began more than 20 years ago, with just one store in Mexico City”, says Andres Marein Efron, General Manager, Recycling Division in Mexico. “We're now nationwide, and we are contributing to the sustainability goals of both companies.”