The importance of building sustainable supply chains

As over 80% of consumer companies’ greenhouse gas emissions come from their supply chains, manufacturers can significantly reduce their impact on the environment by reviewing current processes and making necessary adjustments.

This should start by adopting a circular supply chain, which involves recycling and reusing materials, eliminating waste as well as saving costs for manufacturers, who can reuse by-products for new manufacturing projects or even sell them, generating new sources of revenue.

Sustainable practices also address consumers’ demand for products that are eco-friendly and ethically sourced, expanding businesses’ opportunities within the market. 

Sustainability within manufacturing can minimise environmental impacts by saving energy and natural resources, but also by lowering the consumption of harmful fossil fuels – a vital part of the UK's commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

However, sustainability within a supply chain also extends to the way in which a business operates with regards to its culture and the management of its workforce. Therefore, engineering a sustainable supply chain also implies a focus on health and safety and the labour conditions of businesses. 

Educating individuals on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) plays a fundamental role in this context, allowing organisations to be prepared to readily identify and deal with sustainability issues at the source.

Ultimately, encouraging sustainable practices can strengthen a company’s overall business model, also preparing them for a future that’s inevitably going to be dedicated to sustainability.

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