#supply chain sustainability

[sameerten73]

Understanding Supply Chain Sustainability: Its Importance and Impact 

In recent years, supply chain sustainability has become a critical focus for businesses striving to minimize their environmental footprint while maintaining efficiency. As more companies recognize the importance of responsible sourcing, ethical labor practices, and environmental stewardship, understanding and implementing sustainable practices in the supply chain is essential. This article delves into the concept of supply chain sustainability, its importance, and its impact on modern businesses, especially within the food industry. 

What is Supply Chain Sustainability? 

Supply chain sustainability refers to the management of social, environmental, and economic impacts across the entire supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to delivering the final product. It encompasses practices that aim to reduce waste, minimize carbon emissions, and ensure fair treatment of workers. Companies must adopt strategies that not only meet customer demand but also address sustainability challenges to achieve supply chain assurance. 

The Importance of Supply Chain Sustainability 

Environmental Protection 

One of the primary drivers behind sustainable supply chains is the need to protect the environment. Many businesses contribute to deforestation, air pollution, and water contamination through their supply chain activities. By embracing sustainable practices such as using renewable energy, optimizing logistics, and reducing waste, companies can significantly minimize their environmental impact. 

2. Compliance and Risk Management 

Adopting supply chain sustainability helps companies stay compliant with regulations and standards aimed at environmental protection and social responsibility. Non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, or reputational damage. Sustainable practices also mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions due to resource shortages or geopolitical issues. 

3. Consumer Demand and Brand Image 

Today's consumers are increasingly concerned about the origins of the products they purchase and the ethical practices of the companies they support. Businesses that prioritize supply chain assurance and sustainability can attract eco-conscious customers and improve their brand image. This focus on sustainability can also be a competitive differentiator in the market. 

4. Cost Reduction and Efficiency 

Sustainable supply chain practices can lead to cost savings through better resource utilization, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. For example, optimizing transportation routes reduces fuel consumption, while investing in sustainable packaging can lower material costs. Such efficiencies contribute to overall business profitability. 

The Impact of Supply Chain Sustainability on the Food Industry 

Improved Food Safety and Quality 

For the food industry, sustainable supply chains contribute to higher standards of food safety and quality. By sourcing ingredients from sustainable suppliers and ensuring environmentally responsible processing, companies can maintain the integrity of their products. This also reduces the risk of contamination and product recalls. 

2. Enhanced Traceability 

Sustainability initiatives often include improved tracking and monitoring systems within the supply chain. This allows companies to trace the origins of their products, ensuring ethical sourcing and compliance with safety standards. Enhanced traceability also makes it easier to identify and address any issues that may arise in the supply chain. 

3. Support for Local Communities 

The food industry has a significant impact on local economies and communities. By adopting supply chain sustainability practices, companies can support local farmers and suppliers who engage in sustainable agriculture. This not only helps preserve ecosystems but also improves the livelihoods of workers and promotes fair trade.

4. Reduction of Food Waste 

Sustainable supply chain practices focus on reducing food waste at every stage, from production to consumption. By optimizing inventory management, improving storage conditions, and implementing efficient distribution methods, companies can minimize food loss, thus contributing to global efforts to combat hunger and resource scarcity. 

Supply chain sustainability is no longer an optional initiative but a crucial aspect of modern business strategy, especially in the food industry. By prioritizing sustainable practices, companies can protect the environment, meet consumer expectations, and achieve long-term success. RK Foodland is committed to driving sustainability in the food supply chain, offering tailored solutions that enhance supply chain assurance and sustainability for businesses. To learn more about their sustainability efforts, visit RK Foodland. 

[websyn]

Transform your supply chain with SAP Sustainability Performance Management. Track emissions, ensure compliance, and profitability with eco-friendly practices.

[lotuscontainers]

All About Supply Chain Sustainability

With rapid technological advancements like automation, the supply chain is evolving toward sustainability. But what is supply chain sustainability? Managing the social, environmental, and economic effects of supply networks across the course of the lifecycles of goods and services is referred to as supply chain sustainability. Companies are eager to improve their ESG (environmental, social, and governance) credentials to attain sustainability. LOTUS Containers encourage and support supply chain sustainability worldwide to provide quality containers to users.

[complianceexperts]

Assent's Sarah Carpenter on Canada and Forced Labour Laws

As reporting in the WSJ about laws targeting forced labour, Canada has recently passed a law that will require companies to report on their efforts to stop goods made with forced labor from entering their supply chains. This new legislation is aimed at combatting the widespread use of forced labor in the global supply chain, which has been a growing concern among consumers and human rights organizations.

"The growing complexity of laws on reporting and due diligence in supply chains can particularly affect compliance for companies in sectors with complex supply chains, such as electronics, medical devices and industrial machinery" - Sarah Carpenter, director of corporate responsibility at Assent

The law, known as the Supply Chain Transparency on Forced Labour Act, will require companies with over $20 million in annual revenue to disclose their efforts to identify and prevent the use of forced labor in their supply chains. This will include information on the company's due diligence processes, the measures they have taken to address any identified risks, and the results of any audits or inspections conducted.

The new law is seen as a significant step forward in the fight against forced labor, as it will increase transparency and accountability among companies. It will also help to raise awareness about the issue among consumers, and encourage companies to take more proactive measures to ensure that their supply chains are free from forced labor.

The Canadian government has also announced that it will work with international partners to improve supply chain transparency and combat forced labor globally. The government also plans to invest in programs to support vulnerable workers and to provide training and education to help companies meet the new reporting requirements.

Overall, the Supply Chain Transparency on Forced Labour Act is a strong and important step towards ensuring that all goods entering Canada are ethically sourced and produced without the use of forced labor. It will not only help to protect the rights of workers but also promote responsible and sustainable business practices in Canada.

[reasonsforhope]

"A new community housing development in the Bronx will feature a cool piece of kit: an on-site aerobic digester that can turn 1,100 pounds of food scraps into 220 pounds of high-quality fertilizer every single day.

Built by Harp Renewables, it’s basically a big stomach filled with bacteria that breaks down food scraps and wasted food into their component parts, and in the future could be a standard part of all apartment units as the amount of food waste in American reaches 30% of the total mass of all trash collection.

The Peninsula, organized by Gilbane Development Company, will feature 740 units of affordable housing, 50,000 square-foot light industrial space and equal sized green space, and 15,000 feet of commercial space, all of which will send their castaway comestibles right into the digester...

Fast Company reports that Christina Grace, founder of a zero-waste food management company, helped plan the design and implementation of the digester into The Peninsula, and helped organize a 40% grant from the city to pay the $50,000 upfront cost.

“The goal is for this material to work its way into the community garden network in the Bronx,” [Christina Grace, who helped plan the design] told the magazine, adding that she expects it to pay for itself over just a few years. “We see this as highly replicable in both commercial and residential venues. We know there’s a need for fertilizer.”

Producing fertilizer right there in the city reduces the need for it to be trucked in from afar, chipping away, even if just a bit, at NYC traffic.

Big problem solver

Perhaps uniquely beneficial to New York City compared to other spots in the U.S. is that the digester will have a significant impact on the Bronx’s share of the city’s rodent problem.

Those who’ve watched the Morgan Spurlock documentary Rats will understand why that’s significant—while those that haven’t will have to imagine what living in a megacity where rats outnumber people by around 8 or 10 to 1 looks like.

Another big problem the bio-digesters could potentially help is pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Fertilizer is a big emitter of all three of the most-targeted GHGs. Fertilizer, like quarry dust and ammonia is, like so many commodities, often imported from countries who specialize in its production, such as Norway, but also Russia and Ukraine, whose conflict has recently highlighted the fragility of the supply chain with sharp increases in prices...

Bio-digesters by design keep the CO2 and methane in the fertilizer produced, rather than it entering the atmosphere.

For these reasons and more, the aerobic bio-digester is slowly making its way into residential and industrial spaces around the country.

GNN reported on an enormous bio-digester at the heart of the D.C. advanced resource (sewage) recovery center outside the capital, and on the use of bio-digesters on Australian pig farms which are helping reduce the environmental and psychological impact of the effluent produced from such operations.

Harp Renewables tweeted how happy they were to have installed their bio-digester in the town of Cashel, Ireland.

Expect to see more stories like this pop up around the globe."

-via Good News Network, March 17, 2022

Note: Obviously gentrification bad and "affordable housing" is sometimes nowhere near as affordable as it should be, etc. etc. That said, this is such a fantastic use case that I felt I had to post it anyway.

[indizombie]

At its core, sustainability entails, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the next generation.” This all-encompassing concept involves the harmonious integration of environmental, social, governance, and economic considerations. From the responsible use of natural resources to the ethical treatment of workers, sustainability aims to minimise negative impacts throughout the production process, ensuring the well-being of future generations. The complexity of the multi-layered fashion industry’s supply chains cannot be underestimated. The journey of a single product involves an intricate network of suppliers, ranging from raw material producers and processors to certifying bodies, subcontractors, logistics providers, and retail outlets, before reaching the consumer. Each supplier performs a specific function within defined tiers, transforming raw materials into the final product, and charting its journey from procurement and production to retailers. The key areas of concern in this journey include the irresponsible use and disposal of chemicals and water, human rights abuses, and deforestation for increased farmland. To truly embrace sustainability, luxury brands must prioritise supply chain transparency. Having visibility over the entire supply chain enables brands to identify and address environmental and social risks effectively.

Radhika Purohit, ‘Towards sustainable fashion apparel supply chains’, Observer Research Foundation

[just2bruce]

Carbon Capture for ships - current state

Some people think carbon capture onboard is going to be important in meeting emissions goals for ships. There is some entrepreneurship, and some interest by large oil producers and purveyors. However, many problems remain to be solved. There is essentially no ‘supply chain’ to handle the liquefied carbon product the ships produce onboard from running the carbon capture equipment. Liquid CO2 has…

[farmerstrend]

The Future of Wheat Farming in Kenya: The Economic Benefits of Israeli-Kenyan Wheat Farming Partnerships

“Explore the potential transformation of Kenya’s wheat farming through Israeli investment, focusing on innovative technologies and private partnerships to boost production and create jobs.” “Learn how Israeli investors are set to revolutionize wheat farming in Kenya, enhancing food security and leveraging advanced agricultural technologies in private-sector partnerships.” “Discover the future of…

[happywebdesign]

Cerve

[chainreactionpodcast]

Global Trade and Retail Trends: Insights from Recent Events

Business News Edition: The Winds of Change in Global Trade and Retail The latest episode of our podcast takes listeners on a journey through the complex and evolving landscape of global supply chains. We delve into how the retail industry’s growing emphasis on health and sustainability is transforming supply chain dynamics. As consumer preferences shift towards organic, natural, and minimally…

[websyn]

Accelerate Your Shift to a Sustainable Supply Chain

Supply chain sustainability is now a global priority, demanding a shift towards eco-conscious practices. As businesses navigate the complexities of modern commerce, the need to align supply chain processes with environmental stewardship becomes ever more urgent. Every facet of the supply chain journey must embrace sustainability principles, from product inception to end-of-life disposal.

Leveraging the power of SAP Sustainability Performance Management, businesses can set ambitious goals, track metrics, and make data-driven adjustments that propel them toward a greener future.

[lotuscontainers]

Benefits of supply chain sustainability

With rapid technological advancements like automation, the supply chain is evolving toward sustainability. But what is supply chain sustainability? Businesses now work to achieve sustainability to achieve zero emissions across the supply chain. Companies are eager to improve their ESG (environmental, social, and governance) credentials to attain sustainability. LOTUS Containers, a leading shipping container provider, adheres to sustainability throughout the supply chain to deliver shipping containers internationally.

[safetycourses2022]

[heerumohannandwani]

Top 5 Emerging Trends in the Import/Export Industry for 2024

The global trade landscape is constantly evolving, with new opportunities and challenges arising each year. This article explores the top five emerging trends in the import/export industry for 2024, including advancements in digital trade, the increasing focus on sustainability, and shifts in major trading markets. Business owners and entrepreneurs can learn how to adapt their strategies to stay competitive and make the most of these trends.