[Editor's Note: For Seventh Generation's take on its new relationship with the world's biggest retailer, see "Jeffrey Hollender: Why I'm Doing Business with Walmart" on GreenBiz.com.]

On Monday, you will see something in 1,500 Walmart stores across the country that many people thought would never happen. Walmart will begin carrying products from Seventh Generation, including laundry detergent, dish soap, disinfecting wipes and all-purpose cleaning sprays. About a month later, you will find these and other Seventh Generation products, including diapers, available for sale at Walmart.com.

Since this partnership was announced, I have had a lot of people ask me why Walmart is working with a company that has been such a vocal critic in the past.

The answer is pretty simple:

• As part of Walmart’s broad goal to sell products that sustain people and the environment, we are always looking to expand our number of sustainable offerings.
• Many times your harshest critic may be the most helpful voice you hear.

Seventh Generation founder Jeffrey Hollender has challenged us on a number of issues over the years, but he’s also provided guidance and insight on how we can become a better, more sustainable company, while also being open to the opportunities for change that exist because of Walmart’s global scale.

This partnership will allow Walmart to introduce more consumers to safe, effective and sustainable household products at affordable prices because we don’t believe customers should have to choose one over the other. But this is just the beginning.

This strategic, long-term partnership is an opportunity for both companies to have influence beyond our “four walls.” In addition to making these natural products available to millions of additional consumers, Walmart is able to gain knowledge from a company with 20 years of experience in providing environmentally friendly products in a transparent manner.

In addition to my day job at Walmart as vice president of household chemicals, I’m also the captain of our Chemical Intensive Product Sustainable Value Network (SVN). This group is focused on making the household products on our shelves, such as shampoo, window cleaner and laundry detergent, healthier for our customers and their environment.

Seventh Generation, with its history of selling safe, natural products, is now actively engaged in the SVN. We want to lean on their expertise and knowledge to help make the entire household chemical category more sustainable. We are smart enough to know that we don’t have all the answers, but maybe by coming together, even with our critics, transformational change can occur.

Chemicals aren’t the only area where our two companies will partner. Seventh Generation and Walmart are both members of the Sustainability Consortium, an independent organization of universities that are collaborating with suppliers, other retailers and government and non-government groups to help develop consistent, transparent and scientifically supported data on any product’s sustainability.

Our goal is for this information to lead a Sustainable Product Index that will help customers make choices and consume in a more sustainable way, while providing the transparency into the quality and history of products that is not available today.

At Walmart, sustainability is a long journey and we have learned that by taking a leadership role and collaborating with companies, like Seventh Generation, that share our commitment and passion to sustainability and want to lead with us, entire business systems across the globe can benefit. Our mission is to help people save money and live better. We know we can do this while offering products that are affordable, ethically-sourced, high quality and environmentally friendly.

Alberto Luis Dominguez, J.D., is the vice president divisional merchandise manager of Household Paper Goods & Chemicals for Walmart Stores Inc.

Images for photo illustration courtesy of Walmart Stores Inc. and Seventh Generation.