How can you create a circular supply chain that promotes reuse and recycling of materials?

Know your Numbers: Start collecting data that you'll use to form your baseline. Basic metrics on your waste volumes/costs, energy use for the building, and also emissions and water consumed. These are the numbers that you can make a difference with once you start measuring them. You can analyze the data by assessing the lifecycle of material, how that material flows, and the organization's overall carbon footprint. All of these methods for analyzing are great but don't get stuck in the details as much as you get stuck in how you will get results. Results will come easy in the beginning, but use those early wins to usher in larger-scale initiatives that will take more time and commitment once those early wins where off.

Esta evaluación exhaustiva no solo revela áreas de eficiencia, sino que también proporciona la base para estrategias de mitigación y prácticas más sostenibles en la cadena de suministro, contribuyendo así a metas ambientales y de responsabilidad social corporativa.

I strongly suggest a thorough analysis of the current state of the whole supply chain of your product or service and assess it through a life cycle sustainability perspective. If using tools such an LCA, it’s important to correctly interpret the results. Gathered insights can be assessed for risks and opportunities and will pave the path of your circular transformation roadmap.

Esta integración estratégica y holística permite que los objetivos circulares se alineen de manera efectiva con las metas de sostenibilidad globales, fortaleciendo así el compromiso de la empresa con prácticas empresariales más circulares y sostenibles.

Destaco o êxito da Enel Brasil nos projetos Enel Compartilha Empreendedorismo e Programa de Aceleração de Costureiras. Essas iniciativas capacitam mulheres a converterem uniformes de eletricistas em peças de moda circular. Os uniformes, inicialmente destinados à eliminação e incineração por razões de segurança no trabalho, são agora transformados em ícones fashion, proporcionando renda e qualidade de vida aos clientes da empresa. Esse processo não apenas cria valor compartilhado, mas também gera retorno financeiro para a companhia.

Design for Reusability and Recyclability such as product design. Create products with materials that are easily recyclable or reusable. Design products with interchangeable parts to facilitate repairs or upgrades instead of disposal. Opt for materials that have a higher recyclability rate. Take-back programs are a great system to retrieve used products or components for refurbishment or recycling. Set up your facility collection points or partner with retailers for easier return of used products. Work closely with suppliers to collaborate and ensure the materials used are sustainable and can be recycled or reused. Develop partnerships that enable the return of materials to suppliers for reprocessing in a closed-loop manner.

You've likely heard that recycling alone won't solve our environmental challenges; it's a starting point, not the solution. A more effective approach is designing products with recycling and reuse in mind, phasing out non-recyclables, and exploring alternatives. Encourage collaboration and iterative feedback loops from employees and your supply chain. Finally, leverage technologies to actively promote circularity through smart solutions for product traceability, recycling processes, and supply chain efficiency.

This is basically our mission statement, with our 501c3 Plastic Beach seeking to demonstrate to our business community that a robust plastic recycling system can be achieved, and we are already showing the truth of it by collecting over 2,000 lbs. of flexibles per month. There is SO much talk about the scale of this problem yet we are finding a huge gulf betweeen this talk and actual engagement. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that we need to save ourselves - meaning we need to accept the scale of the problem, and engage in the mundane day-to-day solutions and commit to financially suypport, like we do with our trash and waste water!

Engaging in industry partnerships with other companies, academia, and NGOs to share insights and develop innovative solutions collectively. Collaborate with diverse industries to explore new perspectives and ideas for circularity. Blockchain Technology is a new way to ensure transparent and traceable supply chains, enhancing accountability and trust. AI and Machine Learning can optimize waste management, predict material usage, and streamline processes. Bio-based materials are an example of innovation to help invest in materials derived from renewable sources that are easily recyclable or biodegradable. Research and adopt cutting-edge recycling technologies for complex or mixed-material products. Research what makes the most sense for you.

New partnerships and collaboration are key, but always start with the business model perspective. Every circular process or product has a high potential of extending the value streams of your product. Make sure that your target KPI will be the product lifetime value and not the sales margin as today. When identifying innovative circular business models within your product or company network, the implementation of a circular economy will be a no brainer for all industry companies

In crafting a circular supply chain perspective, the focus lies in meticulous material selection, design for disassembly, closed-loop systems, supplier collaboration, consumer education, incentivized return programs, leveraging data and technology, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This approach champions a sustainable ecosystem where materials are reused and recycled, fostering environmental responsibility and resilience within the supply chain.