Sam’s Club China introduces label-free drinking water in sustainability push

CHINA – Sam’s Club China, a division of Walmart, has launched a label-free drinking water under its Member’s Mark brand, aiming to reduce plastic, ink, and energy consumption while simplifying recycling. 

The initiative, announced in early September 2025, marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to adopt sustainable packaging practices.

According to a company statement, the label-free design reduces plastic use during production, resulting in bottles made from a single, recyclable material. 

Nutritional information, typically found on individual bottle labels, is now provided on the outer case packaging, as the water is sold by the case.

The water is sourced from three protected regions in China: Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang, Wanlv Lake in Guangdong, and Danjiangkou Reservoir in Hubei. 

“This move allows us to offer a high-quality product while cutting down on waste,” said a Sam’s Club China spokesperson. 

The initiative is part of Walmart’s broader Project Gigaton, launched in 2017, which aims to eliminate one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

By the end of 2024, over 330 Walmart China suppliers had joined the project, with 300 actively working to reduce emissions through improved packaging.

Beyond water bottles, Sam’s Club China has upgraded packaging for other Member’s Mark products. 

For instance, the packaging for freeze-dried instant coffee powder now uses aqueous coatings instead of less recyclable materials like biaxially oriented polypropylene film, reducing plastic by approximately 0.2 ounces per box. 

The company has also eliminated polyethylene terephthalate window patching film in these packages, further enhancing recyclability.

In a statement, a Walmart executive emphasized collaboration with suppliers and NGOs to promote low-carbon, circular business models.

This approach leverages the company’s omnichannel presence to drive sustainable practices across its supply chain. 

Recent updates indicate that Sam’s Club China is expanding these efforts, with plans to make all Member’s Mark packaging fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025, according to a report by a sustainability news outlet. 

This includes sourcing all timber for products from recycled content or Forest Stewardship Council-certified materials by the same year.

The label-free water launch follows Walmart’s earlier sustainability milestones, such as eliminating Styrofoam packaging for private brand microwaves in the U.S., saving an estimated 2,000 metric tons of plastic annually.

These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to making sustainable choices accessible and affordable, encouraging consumers to adopt eco-friendly habits through innovative product design and responsible sourcing.

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