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The Fundación Empresarial para la Acción Social, FUNDEMAS presented the Walmart Santa Elena store as an example of a sustainable retail location. To this end, FUNDEMAS organized a visit to the store for representatives from the private sector, showcasing the best practices Walmart has implemented as part of its commitment to becoming a regenerative company.
The event took place during the Semana de la Sostenibilidad recently hosted by FUNDEMAS. “Through experiences like this, we aim for companies to learn firsthand how to develop high-impact projects, economically, socially, and environmentally, by drawing on the expertise of partners committed to sustainable development, such as Walmart Mexico and Central America. These initiatives allow other businesses to discover sustainability practices applied in areas such as supplier development, waste management, and employee-focused programs”, said Luis Cerón, Communications manager at FUNDEMAS.
During the visit, several strategic programs focused on sustainability and the community were highlighted:
Tierra Fértil: This program supports small-scale local farmers by promoting Good Agricultural and Manufacturing Practices, thereby strengthening their growth opportunities. Rodolfo Vigil, a farmer from Opico, La Libertad, has been growing lemons for Walmart for 12 years.
Una Mano para Crecer : This program aims to strengthen the capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that supply Walmart. Sandra Monge de Molina, founder of the salvadoran family business “Típicos Nicole” has successfully strengthened her operations and expanded her commercial footprint with Walmart’s support. Starting with just 4 boxes containing 2 products per week, the company now supplies an average of 100 to 150 boxes weekly, with a portfolio of 17 products.
Cero Residuos Alimenticios: Focusing on waste reduction, the company reported that in 2025, it donated over 317,000 kilograms of products to the Banco de Alimentos in El Salvador. In addition to groceries, donations included fruits and vegetables, as well as a broader range of items, such as pet food, dairy products, frozen foods, eggs, cheese, deli meats, pizzas, and pre-prepared meals, valued at $700,000. These contributions benefited 41,000 vulnerable individuals.
Avances de Sostenibilidad: Walmart promotes recycling. By the end of 2025, more than 6,800 tons of materials had been recycled in El Salvador, broken down as follows: 5,000 tons of cardboard, 673 tons of plastic, and 528 tons of miscellaneous materials. This is equivalent to saving over 95,000 trees through the recycling of cardboard alone.
Sin Bolsas por Favor: This initiative has successfully removed 272 million single-use plastic bags from circulation in El Salvador.
Los Asociados en el Centro: With a workforce of over 4,550 associates in the country, Walmart remains one of El Salvador’s leading employers. Yenci Hernández, who is hearing-impaired, works as a cashier, a testament to the success of the company’s “I Belong” culture.
“Walmart stands out for its commitment to the well-being of salvadoran families, creating a positive impact through initiatives that foster growth toward becoming a regenerative and sustainable company”, said Sandra Cáceres, Senior Corporate Affairs Specialist.
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