Sustainability has become more and more of a focus in recent years. The environment is robust, but we only help it with some of our business practices. In this article, we will talk about some sustainable supply chain operations. These operations focus on minimizing environmental impact, optimizing resource utilization, and promoting ethical practices throughout the supply chain process. It’s a little work, but this approach creates long-term value while still considering social, economic, and environmental factors. We will cover tactics such as reverse logistics optimization and circular economy principles. Adopting eco-friendly practices can reduce environmental impact, enhance brand reputation, and generate cost savings on all levels of your business. I will make it fun and straightforward and give a few examples to ensure you understand it well.
To begin, I will give you an example of a sustainable supply chain operation, and then we will develop some strategies. Let’s say you own a beverage company that implements a sustainable supply chain operation. It’s done by sourcing only local ingredients, reducing packaging waste, and using energy-efficient transportation. You ensure you collaborate with suppliers who adhere to ethical labor practices and invest in renewable energy sources. You are simultaneously reducing your carbon footprint, building your brand reputation, and building a resilient supply chain. Not too bad of a process there, Mr. Beverage Company Owner. That’s a very common example of what a business owner would do to have a sustainable supply chain operation. It is the bulk of sustainability, but much comes from the smaller strategies accentuating the leading supply chain.
Take Reverse Logistics Optimization, for example. To put it simply, it means an efficient return process for sustainability. The process focuses on returning goods from consumers to the manufacturer or retailer sustainably and efficiently. This way, you can reduce waste, promote recycling, and ensure you properly dispose of the products. To do this, you first need to establish a collection infrastructure. This procedure means you’ll need to set up efficient collection points where consumers can return products for recycling or repurposing. Doing this is usually safe and efficient. Retail locations, drop-off centers, or mail-in programs are common. Step two: you’ll need to establish and maintain a streamlined process for sorting and categorizing the returned products. You must identify the items you can refurbish, recycle, or dispose of responsibly. Many companies have collaborations with recycling partners to ensure proper processing. Lastly, you will need to have a resource recovery process. To maximize the value of the returned items, you can refurbish or extract the valuable materials the product holds. Your partnership with the recycling facilities can assist in extracting those precious metals, plastics, and other components, ultimately minimizing waste and environmental impact.
I will give you an example. An electronics company that you own is implementing reverse logistics optimization. They do so by offering consumers a friendly and easy way to return old electronic devices for recycling. Your team establishes collection points at their retail stores and partners with e-waste recycling centers scattered across the city. You receive 5% of the total units sold three years ago. You have recovered $1.3 million in raw materials and parts still usable in newer models. You also notice you only spent $500k in actual cost to run the reverse logistics optimization process. Ultimately, you came out on top with about $800k worth of assets returned to you. It is a good investment. This strategy is best planned out far in advance. You should have a strong estimated return on investment before you allocate time and energy to this. Obviously, because of this factor, you should research and be sure that this strategy is the right fit for you.
Another popular strategy is to implement circular economic principles. It is a resource-efficient, sustainable product lifecycle. Imagine a smartphone manufacturer that has adopted circular economy principles. Instead of producing new smartphones from scratch every time they need a unit, they design their phones with modularity in mind. When a customer’s phone is outdated or malfunctioning, they can return it. The phone manufacturer then disassembles the phone, recycles the components, and refurbishes any usable parts. The manufacturer can then create “like-new” smartphones by combining the refurbished parts with the new ones. By doing this, the manufacturer can reduce the need for new resources and minimize electronic waste. It’s the true meaning of reduce, reuse, and recycle. The regeneration of materials and products throughout their lifecycle is essential and contrasts with the traditional linear approach of using and disposing. Using this system, there is a closed-loop system where products, materials, and resources are kept in circulation as long as possible. In the end, it will reduce the manufacturers’ environmental impact.
You can do this too. The first step is to design a circular process where the product’s design is for the entire lifecycle. The design should be easy to disassemble, repair, and recycle. Materials should be durable and easily repurposed. Next, you will want to implement a system for collecting used products from the customers. It is called your closed-loop system. From there, you will disassemble the products, sort the components, and refurbish or recycle all the parts recovered. Then, you can make new products using refurbished and new parts, saving you on costly resources. Lastly, it is essential to educate customers about the benefits of circular economy practices and encourage them to return the used products and use your drop-off locations. If your consumers need to learn or understand the importance of recycling, they will not feel the need to use your circular process. You can collaborate with suppliers to source recycled and sustainable materials. It further closes the loop of your supply chain and provides a wonderful opportunity for partnership.
Sustainability is easier than it used to be. There are a lot of resources and opportunities out there to help the planet. I will note that you should stay strong, trying to stay green. You should do your analysis and be sure that you will get a positive and sustainable return on your investment before you undertake any transition for sustainability. Do your outside research and develop your sustainability plan. Above all else, act and see if this is a good fit for you!
