5 Things We Can All Do To Promote Sustainability Within Our Supply Chains

There’s a lot that we can all do to promote sustainability in our supply chains. Here’s five things to help promote your supply chains to become more sustainable.

Sustainability is more than just protecting the environment. When it comes to supply chains, we all have a major part to play in promoting sustainable supply chain practises at a time where the world is dealing with climate change and global disruption.

During the pandemic, there was a shortage of materials and items in supply chains. Vulnerabilities in the global supply chain have meant that the world needs to promote sustainability strategies within supply chains.

If you don’t know where to start, then we have five things that we can all do to promote sustainability in supply chains. 

1. Buying sustainable products locally

With foods such as bananas and avocados facing possible extinction due to climate change, there are things we need to think about when buying products that are sustainable.

Buying products and goods that continue to use unsustainable products in their supply chain is a bad idea. Not only will the products be unavailable if the materials go extinct, but prices will also increase for goods, making it unaffordable to buy specific products if the material is in short supply.

Rather than having materials sourced from the other side of the world, having goods shipped locally can make a big environmental impact to your carbon footprint. Having a local supply chain that sources sustainable materials can encourage individuals to buy locally sourced products over supply chains with a poor record on the environment.

2. Educating yourself about supply chain sustainability

When it comes to supply chain management, it all starts with educating yourself about supply chains and sustainability, as well as having conversations on the subject.

If you work for an organisation that implements sustainability into their company values, it can provide you with the opportunities to learn more about issues like ethical sourcing. That can come in the form of training courses and resources that are run by management in the company you work for.

Reading up on industry leaders getting it right enables you to promote sustainable practises within your chains. As an individual, you will have the confidence and awareness to promote sustainable supply chain practices in and out of the workplace.

3. Aiming for supply chain transparency

Transparency is an essential part of making sure supply chains and the business know what is going on at every step of its supply chain. 

Having a robust supplier code of conduct ensures that supply chains operate with working practises that promote the same values as you. Individual companies who strive for supply chain transparency can build trust with consumers who buy materials and products from that brand.

The benefits of supply chain transparency for your business can mean that your partnerships become better, as well as improving wider industry practises. Employee engagement, as well as retaining and attracting talent who believe in supply chain sustainability can give them the confidence to believe in the company’s mission statement.

4. Picking and choosing sustainable supply chain providers

It cannot be stressed enough the importance of picking and choosing supply chain providers that are sustainable for your business. 

By picking the best suppliers who promote sustainability at the right time, it allows you to make an informed decision about how your materials are sourced.

When it comes to sourcing a certain material, it’s worth bearing in mind there may not be any sustainable options at the time. Having a starting point to work from with the information you have gathered allows you to make well-informed supply chain decisions.

5.  Promoting collaboration between supply chains, businesses and individuals

If you are promoting sustainable practises with a supply chain, collaborating with both businesses and individuals can make a difference to the sector’s sustainability goals.

Competitors who are likely to share the same supply chain as your company can utilise this to their advantage by working with similar businesses. By working together with rival organisations, it means that your business is helping to create sustainable practises and frameworks for your supply chains.

Individuals who see an organisation collaborate with their competitors will have a positive perception of the company. It demonstrates that they are putting their differences aside to come together and achieve a common goal. 

Everyone has a part to play with promoting sustainability in supply chains to ensure goods and products are not in short supply. In an age where you can receive products instantly, making informed decisions can help not only the environment but also promote individuals to buy products that are made and sourced from local supply chains. 

Don’t miss out on attending Procurious’ Big Ideas Summit London 2022, which takes place on March 16th. You can register now to attend the summit.

How have you tried to promote sustainability in supply chains? Share your experiences of promoting sustainability with supply chains in the comments below.