“If you’re already being sustainable within your business: quantify it.”
Sara Smeath recently spoke at Future State to discuss how digital enablement tools like CiRCLR are transforming impact-driven businesses. How will you scale your circular outcomes and communicate your sustainability effectively? Check out the article by Spark for Business to learn how we balance sustainability and productivity.
Quantify Your Actions
In today’s business environment, sustainable procurement is not just a trend; it is a necessity. Companies must now prove their commitment to sustainability, particularly in reducing scope 3 emissions throughout their supply chains. This proof of sustainable actions becomes an integral part of a company’s branding, distinguishing it in a market increasingly driven by eco-conscious consumers and stakeholders.
Balancing Sustainability and Productivity
The evolution towards a circular economy demands a balance between economic productivity and environmental preservation. CiRCLR is dedicated to helping small-to-medium businesses master this balancing act through a series of strategic steps.
Take Incremental Steps and Be Authentic
CiRCLR advises businesses to start by identifying what is being wasted or unused. This approach allows businesses to start in a manageable way that aligns with their sustainable development goals. Incremental steps help maintain momentum without overwhelming the organisation.
Adopt New Technologies
CiRCLR emphasises the importance of adopting new technologies. Businesses can find new value opportunities by using technologies that connect them with feedstock opportunities, trace sustainable ingredients, and create new revenue streams from waste. Proximity to resources and waste streams is crucial for logistical efficiency and cost savings. Progressive practices and a commitment to sustainability are essential for building trust and market differentiation.
Address Waste
By addressing waste at every step of the supply chain, businesses can turn waste into a valuable resource, enhancing sustainability practices, reducing their carbon footprint, and generating revenue. CiRCLR recommends focusing on one significant waste stream or issue at a time to make the process feel more manageable. Starting small is effective – there is no need to tackle everything all at once.
Tinder for Trash
CiRCLR takes this concept further by using AI to matchmake businesses with local entities interested in repurposing their waste. Imagine a farm with excess crop waste finding a local business that can transform it into biofuel, or a textile manufacturer connecting with a designer utilising fabric scraps for high-end fashion. CiRCLR aims to remove the effort for businesses by matching them with organisations that align with their values. Repurposing waste should be an effortless part of daily business operations.
At CiRCLR, waste is seen as an untapped business opportunity, waiting to be unearthed, redefined, and resold in more meaningful forms. This perspective not only advances sustainability but also boosts productivity and scales circular outcomes by efficiently connecting businesses with the resources they need.
Sustainable Procurement Practices
Implementing sustainable procurement practices, such as engaging with local and diverse suppliers, can significantly reduce transport emissions and support community growth while promoting social fairness. By focusing on turning waste into valuable resources, companies can enhance their sustainability practices, reduce their carbon footprint, and create new revenue streams, thereby contributing to a circular economy.
Leveraging technology like procurement software and blockchain ensures greater transparency and efficiency in supply chain decarbonisation, helping businesses meet environmental and social regulations more effectively. This level of transparency builds trust and ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the company’s sustainability efforts.
Collaborating with internal departments and stakeholders is crucial for successful sustainable procurement. It aligns sustainability goals with the overall company vision and fosters a culture of environmental responsibility. Involving different areas of the company, such as finance, marketing, and operations, can uncover new possibilities for savings and innovation.
Conclusion
Every bit counts in the journey towards a sustainable future. By taking incremental steps, adopting new technologies, addressing waste, and implementing sustainable procurement practices, businesses can not only improve their environmental impact but also enhance their market standing and profitability. As CiRCLR demonstrates, the path to a circular economy is paved with opportunities to transform waste into valuable resources, proving that sustainable productivity is indeed a match made in green heaven.