As information becomes increasingly accessible, society is more in tune with our impact on the planet. In just the past 20 years, we’ve seen an increased awareness of climate issues worldwide. And in the corporate sphere, this is perhaps more apparent than anywhere else.
As the Harvard Business Review noted in 2019, the concept of supply chain sustainability and transparency was largely unknown in the business world just 15 years ago. Now, however, companies across the globe are facing increased pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, use sustainable products, and above all else, be transparent about their supply chain process.
But why does this matter?
The short answer is that if we, as consumers, place more pressure on companies to shift to sustainable business models, the better off the long-term health of the climate will be.
The longer answer, however, is a bit more involved. Let’s take a look at exactly why you need to consider supply chain sustainability in your everyday purchases.
Supply Chains Are Massive
Do you know what it took to get your notebook to you? Or the paper towels hanging by the kitchen sink? It’s likely that the trees harvested to create the paper were grown in one place, then shipped to a mill to be pulped. That product was then likely sent to another factory for the creation of the notebook or paper towels, which were then shipped to your nearest supermarket.
That seems like a massive process just to get a notebook or roll of paper towels produced, right? Well, that’s because it is. And this is why supply chain sustainability is such an important issue today. The steps required to produce common, everyday goods take a toll on the planet.
What Can I Do?
Like all effective movements, it starts with small, simple steps. Instead of buying products from big-name, industry-dominant brands, you can spend your money on products from companies that are completely transparent with their supply chain. Ideally, you’d be able to choose to buy products only from companies that source their goods from sustainable sources.
Sustainable sources can look different from company to company. For example, a company manufacturing fishing poles will likely use cork to create the pole handle. Since cork is a natural substance, it’s important that the company only harvest it from sustainable sources. While that’s only one component of the product, giving your business to companies that make an effort to use sustainable sources is the first step towards a better global climate.
Other companies might streamline their entire operation in order to be more sustainable. From growing the trees between rice paddies, to using the excess water created in the pulping process to fill reservoirs around the mills, Double A Paper is dedicated to a completely transparent, 100% sustainable supply chain model.
Making the jump to a completely sustainable supply chain won’t happen overnight, but it will happen quicker if we, as consumers, speak up and let companies know that this is what we want. By spending your money with companies that only use sustainable sources within their supply chain, you can be part of the global movement towards a more eco-friendly economy.