Walmart phasing out paint removal products with methylene chloride and NMP

US retail giant Walmart has announced it will phase out paint removal products with the chemicals methylene chloride and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) from its stores in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and www.walmart.com by February 2019.

This initiative is consistent with Walmart’s efforts to work with suppliers and the industry to accelerate the adoption and use of sustainable chemistry practices that exceed customers’ expectations. Similar to some of the retailer’s previous work on sustainable chemistry, this initiative also goes above and beyond current legal and regulatory compliances.

Last year, Walmart became the first retailer to participate in the Chemical Footprint Project survey. Walmart’s categories of focus include household cleaning, personal care, baby, pet, beauty, and cosmetic products. Walmart publicly reports its progress annually on its sustainability commitments through its Global Responsibility Report and Sustainability Hub.

“Walmart’s long been a leader in driving sustainable chemistry in consumable products. We applaud this recent step to expand that area of focus and to remove paint strippers with methylene chloride and NMP from store shelves,” said Boma Brown-West, senior manager of consumer health at Environmental Defense Fund. “We look forward to Walmart’s continued sustainable chemistry leadership.”