On the first day, we first talked about what exactly a supply chain is and certain terms used that are used, like upstream and downstream, etc. We then discussed greenwashing. Greenwashing is where companies will say they’re going green just to be able to sell a product. For example, a company will have a sustainable promotion, like buying an item and we’ll donate one, for only a month and then stop. But, because of that one promotion people will associate that company with that one short promotion.
On the second day, we started off discussing the linear economy. This is where there is a linear relationship that flows up and down the supply chain. For example, you couldn’t jump from tier 1 to tier 3, you would have to go from tier 1 to tier 2 to tier 3. In class we discussed in a linear economy they use different ways to take care of the environment. Mostly reduce, reuse, and recycle. We then went on to discuss cradle-to-grave. This is a “firm’s perspective on the environmental impact created by their product or activities from the beginning of its lifecycle to the end”(video from class). In cradle-to-grave there is also no returning, no reusing, and no recycling. The key component of this is to reduce waste. At the end of the product’s lifecycle, they will do a lifestyle assessment (LSA) which will measure the impact of the product, service, or process. To do this assessment there are 5 steps.
Step 1: Why am I conducting this?
Step 2: Define the scope of the analysis. The who, what, when, where, and how.
Step 3: Collect background data
Step 4: Collect data by conducting interviews or surveying the site.
Step 5: Interpret data and create an action plan
Next, we learned cradle-to-cradle. This cycle mimics the regeneration cycle that is found in nature. The focus of it is to eliminate waste all together. It also uses a closed-loop system. In the video we watched it also talked about biological nutrient which is materials that can be absorbed back into nature, and technical nutrient that is used over and over again. This helps lower costs, improved competitiveness and reduce waste. Close-loop is not constantly a linear flow. It is a strategy aimed at optimizing resources used within industries so that sustainability can be achieved (recycling, sharing, leasing, and refurbishing). Resources are minimized or reduced. This economy is trying to eliminate waste. We also discussed industrial symbiosis. This is a mutually beneficial exchange of waste and by-products between three or more parties. One firm’s waste is another firm’s raw materials. We then discussed the benefits of sustainable responsible cooperation. It improves brand reputation, increase competitive advantage, access to new markets, increase market share due to sustainability positioning, reduce costs due to energy efficiency, better innovation in business models, innovation of products/services, reduce costs due to materials or waste efficiencies, improved regulatory compliance and better stakeholder/investor relationships. Lastly we talked about reverse logistics. This is where the end product needs new manufacturing or reused and goes back upstream.