Wal-Mart's Pollution Problem: Hurting Workers And The Environment

Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, has been accused of exploiting its workers and polluting the environment. The company has been fined multiple times for violating environmental regulations and has also faced lawsuits and settlements for its unsustainable practices. Despite its sustainability goals and commitments, Walmart still faces criticism for its environmental impact, unethical sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and labour practices. This raises the question of whether Walmart's business model, with its focus on low prices, contributes more to pollution than the labour of its workers.

Wal-Mart's violations of the Clean Water Act

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has been found guilty of violating the Clean Water Act on multiple occasions. In 2004, the company settled claims with the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Attorney's office for the District of Delaware, Tennessee, and Utah. This settlement addressed violations at over 24 sites in 9 states, including California, Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Wal-Mart was found to have violated storm water requirements at these construction sites, with improper handling of hazardous wastes and chemicals, which is a primary cause of impaired water quality in the United States.

In 2006, Wal-Mart pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act, resulting in federal environmental crimes. The company was fined over $81 million for its unlawful conduct, with a combined total of over $110 million paid to resolve cases alleging violations of federal and state environmental laws. This included previous actions brought by the states of California and Missouri for similar conduct.

Wal-Mart, as one of the largest retail construction developers in the country, has a significant impact on the environment. With over 200 stores built each year, the company has a responsibility to ensure safe handling of hazardous wastes and compliance with environmental regulations.

The company's business model, with its focus on low prices, has been criticized as a contributing factor to its environmental impacts. The pursuit of cheap labor and overseas distribution has increased fossil fuel usage, and the sale of cheap, quickly-obsolete commodities contributes to waste.

While Wal-Mart has taken steps towards sustainability and regenerative practices, its economic model continues to be criticized for exploiting workers and polluting the environment.

Exploitative fishing practices

Walmart has been criticized for exploiting its workers, polluting the environment, and failing low-income communities. The company has been fined multiple times for violating environmental regulations, and its business model, which prioritizes low prices, has been blamed for contributing to environmental degradation. Walmart has also been criticized for its pursuit of cheap labor and its impact on increasing fossil fuel usage.

Now, let's discuss exploitative fishing practices and how they relate to the topic at hand.

Exploitative and destructive fishing practices have been a significant concern for marine ecosystems and the sustainability of fisheries. These practices can cause irreversible damage to habitats and the delicate balance of aquatic life. One of the most notorious examples of exploitative fishing is cyanide fishing, where a sodium cyanide mixture is sprayed into the water to stun and capture fish, often for the aquarium trade. This method not only harms the target fish but also other marine organisms, including coral reefs. The stress of capture and cyanide exposure results in high mortality rates, sometimes up to 75% within 48 hours. Muro-ami, another destructive fishing method, involves using encircling nets and pounding devices or heavy blocks to smash coral reefs and force fish out of their refuges, causing long-lasting destruction to the coral.

Additionally, blast fishing or dynamite fishing is a cheap and easily accessible method that uses explosives to kill fish and bring them to the surface. This practice indiscriminately kills large numbers of fish and other marine life and damages the physical environment, especially coral reefs. Other destructive fishing practices include inappropriate use of fishing techniques, such as bottom trawling over vulnerable habitats, indiscriminate killing or maiming of aquatic life, disruption of reproductive cycles, and lingering water pollution.

To combat these exploitative fishing practices, consumers can play a role by only purchasing sustainably caught fish and obtaining fishing licenses that help fund state conservation programs. While Walmart has expressed commitments to sustainability and regenerative practices, including sustainable fisheries management, it is unclear how these commitments translate into action to address exploitative fishing practices within their supply chains.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Walmart has been criticized for its environmental impact, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions. Maritime shipping causes 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and Walmart is one of the largest maritime shippers. In 2021, the company's emissions were higher than those of a coal-fired power plant. Between 2005 and 2010, Walmart's reported emissions increased by 14%.

Walmart has outlined sustainability goals, including utilizing wind, solar, and other renewable resources to power its facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2035. They currently power around 46% of their operations with renewables. They also aim to eliminate emissions from all Walmart vehicles, including long-haul trucks, by 2040. However, critics argue that these commitments appear to be mostly public relations stunts, with little improvement in conditions for most of its food supply chain.

Walmart has been accused of exploiting workers and engaging in unethical sourcing practices. For example, Walmart's farm-raised shrimp ties into exploitative fishing practices in the Pacific and a labor-trafficking system. The company has also been criticized for its handling of hazardous waste, with multiple violations of environmental regulations like the Clean Water Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In 2025, Walmart pleaded guilty to six counts of violating the Clean Water Act and was fined approximately $81.6 million.

In conclusion, while Walmart has made commitments to sustainability and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, it continues to face criticism for its environmental and social impact, including the exploitation of workers and high emissions relative to small countries.

Improper hazardous waste disposal

Walmart has been criticised for its environmental impact and the way it treats its workers. The company has been fined for violations of environmental regulations, such as the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. Walmart's business model, with its focus on low prices, has been blamed for exacerbating these issues. The company's pursuit of cheap labour and reliance on overseas distribution have resulted in increased fossil fuel usage.

To avoid the negative consequences of improper hazardous waste disposal, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines. Improper disposal methods can lead to environmental pollution and risks to human health. Hazardous wastes, such as cleaners, paints, and oils, should be monitored for their use, storage, and disposal. It is essential to follow the instructions on product labels to prevent accidents and potential hazards during transportation to disposal facilities.

When dealing with household hazardous waste (HHW), it is important to never pour them down drains or on the ground, as this can contaminate septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems. HHW should also not be disposed of through regular trash collection. Instead, communities should utilise designated collection days or central locations for safe management and disposal.

To promote environmental sustainability, individuals can opt for environmentally friendly, natural products or create their own using simple recipes. Additionally, reducing the purchase of products containing hazardous ingredients can minimise the generation of hazardous waste.

Walmart has expressed its commitment to sustainability and regenerative practices. The company aims to protect, manage, and restore critical landscapes, adopting regenerative agricultural, fisheries, and forest management practices. However, critics argue that Walmart needs to reform its practices to align with its sustainability goals and reduce its environmental impact.

Wal-Mart's sustainability goals

Walmart has been working towards sustainability goals for over 15 years. The company has invested over $40 million since 2015 to enhance worker and community voices, promoting fair and responsible labor and recruitment practices in global supply chains. Additionally, the Walmart Foundation has invested more than $20 million to strengthen smallholders in farmer producer organizations and farm yields in India since 2018.

Walmart's vision is to transform food and product supply chains to be regenerative, working in harmony with nature to protect, restore, and sustainably use natural resources. They aim to protect, manage, or restore critical landscapes by preserving at least one acre of natural habitat for every acre of land they develop in the US. They are also driving the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, sustainable fisheries management, and forest protection and restoration.

Walmart is inviting suppliers to join them in committing to projects that will reduce emissions by one gigaton by 2030. They are also working towards expanding and enhancing more sustainable sourcing to cover 20 key commodities by 2025.

However, critics argue that the Walmart economy exploits workers, pollutes the environment, and fails low-income communities. Walmart has been fined multiple times for violating environmental regulations, and its business model, which emphasizes low prices, has been blamed for its negative environmental impact. The company's pursuit of cheap labor and focus on distributing goods shipped from overseas have increased fossil fuel usage.

Frequently asked questions