Retailer Scorecards for Sustainable Packaging
As retailers like Walmart, Tesco, and others work towards their sustainability goals of cutting emissions and reducing packaging waste, a greater burden of environmental reporting is put on their suppliers. EPI provides a range of services to help suppliers comply with these requirements. We can support your company's efforts at any level.
Through our participation in Walmart's Packaging Sustainable Value Networks (SVNs) in the US and internationally, we provide input on the implementation of the scorecard and its impacts on suppliers, and help our clients stay abreast of these developments.
We have assisted clients with many aspects of the Walmart Scorecard, including: training, identifying data sources and gaps, collecting data from suppliers and co-packers, compiling the data for SKUs sold to WM and Sam's Club, and inputting the data into the scorecard (either via bulk upload or via Retail Link). EPI can assist you with scorecard modeling and other forms of analysis (see Analysis of Packaging). We also offer Walmart Scorecard training in Europe and China.
For retailers interested in developing a scorecard of your own, EPI can assist you. We will match your company sustainability policies and goals with metrics to support them, while at the same time using our extensive knowledge of worldwide reporting requirements to minimize the additional burden on your suppliers.
Overview of EPI's Walmart Scorecard Data Services
EPI presently works with many of Walmart's major suppliers to help them meet the packaging scorecard requirements. Based on our knowledge of the scorecard and our 10 years of experience working on packaging and product stewardship issues, EPI is uniquely qualified to provide a broad range of services.
Inventory of data and supply chain scenarios: EPI works extensively with clients to review the data they have in ERP systems, specification databases, and other sources to determine its suitability for preparing the necessary report outputs (e.g. Walmart scorecard). We also interview procurement, packaging, IT, and operations staff to identify the various design, sourcing, and distribution scenarios that will impact data structure, data collection, and calculations.
Collection of packaging data from suppliers: EPI has developed data collection vehicles (DCVs) and processes to collect detailed packaging data (on a component and bill of materials basis) from packaging suppliers. The DCVs may be designed with only Walmart in mind, or they may include other data points to support other compliance or voluntary reporting. We also provide written instructions, customized global training sessions both in person and via web conference, and provide "helpdesk" support via phone and email to DCV users (suppliers, plants, and OEMs).
Implementation of packaging databases: For clients with large quantities of data, large supply bases, or with existing BOM databases, we help set up packaging databases using a web-based software solution. This allows the company to manage the bulk data from DCVs by uploading them into the web-based database, merge with corporate BOM database extracts if applicable, and generate reports (e.g. for Walmart).
Preparation of Walmart report: EPI provides both uploadable spreadsheets (for those suppliers allowed to upload DDL data) and data sheets that simplify manual entry into Retail Link.
Other support as needed: EPI can assist your team's efforts with the Walmart scorecard or other packaging and sustainability-related projects at any level. We also provide Scorecard Training.