When it comes to building a sustainable business, often the consideration is on the business itself. However, businesses do not operate in vacuum and the reality is that business is part of a system. That system starts with the supply chain, moves through the transportation of goods to the business and then to the business itself and then beyond to waste and rubbish disposal. If any part of that chain or system is based on non-sustainable operations, then your business can not actually be considered fully environmentally sustainable. This can be crucial in places such as Australia, where the impact from non-sustainable operations can easily perpetuate problems for the environment as a whole.
Supply Chain Sustainability
Obviously, it is impractical for every business to achieve 100 percent supply chain sustainability. However, steps should be taken to work with supply chain partners to attempt to reach that goal. One of the key areas for businesses to assist in achieving that goal is to ensure full knowledge of where and how products are produced, transported and ultimately delivered to the business. Then, working with the supplier to alter areas that are not sustainable, or perhaps even changing supplier to one that has a more sustainable working model. Either means will help develop a sustainable supply chain.
End Use Or Disposal Chain Sustainability
While many have worked hard in Australia to improve the overall environmental impact, there is still more that can be done. For example, rubbish removal in Sydney and Western Suburbs, have collected over 260,000 tons of industrial and commercial waste, of which half has been recycled. However, the remaining half has been moved to landfills and the like. This clearly illustrates that more can be done to further reduce the remaining half of rubbish or to enable the recycling of more to achieve a better overall percentage. Both of which, make it incumbent on businesses to work to reduce waste as well as when waste is created, to ensure it is properly recycled and disposed of. Thereby, creating end use or disposal chain sustainability.
Benefits of True Business Sustainability
Admittedly, the benefits of sustainability from a marketing perspective is obvious. However, the long-term, real benefits of creating, utilizing and facilitating a sustainable business model are that your business is operating in an efficient manner that can have profound positive cost impacts. By having more information, knowledge and control over both the supply chain and disposal chain, your business can react to changes and challenges easier than other businesses in the same sphere, thus giving you a leg up on your competition. Your business is more flexible and responsive and this has the benefit of giving the consumer more of what they want, which further places your business in a better overall economic position. Sustainable business models and conditions are more than a marketing gimmick. It is an effective means of running a business in a manner that not only protects and promotes the environment but facilitates improvements in the overall marketplace.
There is always more than that can be done in a business setting to improve sustainability. Working with both supply chain partners and waste disposal partners to develop a comprehensive strategy for an overall sustainability model for your business helps your business succeed and improve, while at the same time paving the way for other businesses to follow your example. All of which comes together to help the community and the environment while giving your business the impetus to succeed and excel.
