Indicators of a Resilient and Eco-Friendly Supply Chain

Expert Perspective: Creating enduring supply chains is increasingly becoming a priority for businesses today. Here are five indicators that suggest your sustainability efforts are making headway.

A recent publication by PDI technologies reveals that a whopping 80% of consumers express concern about the environmental impact of their purchases. Moreover, 71% would choose a more eco-friendly option when comparing products priced at $10 or less.

Navigating the complexities of building a sustainable supply chain can be challenging,but certain signs can help you gauge your progress.

You’ve chosen suppliers with green practices. The first step toward ensuring sustainability in your supply chain is to select suppliers who prioritize eco-friendly practices. 

Taking Target as an example, they found that nearly all their greenhouse gas emissions stemmed from their supply chain back in 2019.To tackle this issue, they aimed to cut these emissions by 30% by the year 2030 and committed to having around 80% of their suppliers set science-based targets for reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

Selecting suppliers focused on sustainable materials and energy sources can considerably influence your entire operation. As highlighted in research from harvard Buisness Review, engaging both first-tier and lower-tier suppliers amplifies positive outcomes across the board.

You’re taking action within your own operations. While it’s essential to collaborate with partners on Scope 3 emissions, don’t overlook your own facilities’ contributions (Scope 1 and Scope 2). these include emissions from company vehicles and energy consumption at your sites. A thorough review of processes can reveal opportunities for advancement—like upgrading to energy-efficient machinery or lighting systems—which can lead to considerable emission reductions over time.
A lot of companies also turn towards renewable energy solutions like solar panels or even carbon capture technologies as effective ways to minimize their carbon footprint.
Your facility’s environmental impact is something you have control over—even if you can’t dictate how partners operate sustainably!... . .. ..

You’ve got waste management strategies down pat!

This brings us to waste management—an unavoidable aspect of any supply chain! Though, there’s a big difference between those who simply dump waste into landfills versus those actively seeking ways to recycle or repurpose materials.
As an example, CheckSammy worked with Yellowstone National Park Lodges after they were left with tons of retired textiles due to pandemic-related donation halts. By utilizing mechanical recycling methods at its Sustainability Hubs,checksammy helped divert over 25 thousand pounds worth into new products while saving 20 metric tons in CO2 emissions just last year!
The success hinged on quick logistics for collecting old textiles along with an efficient sorting system—showing how proactive partnerships yield extraordinary results!

You’ve established clear environmental KPIs. Having specific key performance indicators (KPIs) related directly back into sustainability initiatives gives directionality while tracking progress towards goals! Such as: monitoring water usage metrics such as total consumption rates versus reuse levels could provide valuable insights tailored specifically around organizational needs.
Without these benchmarks firmly established though? It becomes difficult determining whether efforts truly resonate long-term within any given initiative!

Your accountability measures are solid. Sustainable supply chains thrive on clarity among all parties involved which means everyone must have visibility regarding operations—including emission levels tracked closely through Scopes one-two-three respectively! this level engagement allows teams not only measure impacts stemming from adjustments made but also identify further areas needing improvement moving forward too!

ultimately achieving true sustainability isn’t just about hitting milestones—it requires ongoing commitment alongside collaboration amongst partners alike so together we reduce our collective footprint while appealing more effectively towards environmentally-conscious consumers out there today!