Top 10 Sustainable Supply Chains
In recent years, sustainability has become a key focus for many businesses, as they recognise the importance of reducing their environmental impact and promoting social responsibility. One area where sustainability is particularly important is in supply chain management, where companies must ensure that their operations are not only profitable but also environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
As such, many companies have made sustainability a core part of their business strategy, implementing sustainable practices throughout their supply chains. From using renewable energy sources to reducing waste and promoting fair labour practices, these companies are leading the way in sustainable supply chain management.
This article will highlight the top 10 most sustainable supply chains, based on their commitment to sustainability and the impact they are having on the environment and society.
From modular carpet tile manufacturers to automotive companies, these businesses are setting a high standard for sustainable supply chain management, demonstrating that it is possible to be both profitable and socially responsible.
By examining the sustainable practices and impacts of these companies, we can gain insight into the key principles of sustainable supply chain management and how they can be implemented in other industries.
10. Ford
One of the most successful companies in the history of business, the automotive manufacturer Ford, has implemented sustainable practices throughout its operations. The company has launched a program to reduce the environmental impact of its vehicles, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving fuel efficiency. Ford has also implemented sustainable practices in its manufacturing processes, in the form of using renewable energy sources and recycling materials. With anything from 4-6mn vehicle sales a year, these sustainable practices will have a significant environmental impact.
9. Danone
The towering food and beverage company, Danone, is focused on promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using renewable energy sources. Danone has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact, including becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and using 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Danone is also promoting regenerative agriculture and reducing waste.
8. Adidas
Adidas, the notable sportswear manufacturer, has made sustainability a key priority in its operations. The company has committed to using more sustainable materials in its products, including recycled polyester and sustainable cotton. Adidas has also implemented sustainable practices in its manufacturing - and transportation processes - and has launched a program to improve the sustainability practices of its suppliers, actively extending its sustainability reach to its scope 3 emissions.
7. Nestlé
The giant food and beverage company Nestlé, has also made sustainability a core part of its business strategy which, with a US$92.81bn in 2021, is having a massive impact. Nestlé has implemented sustainable practices throughout its supply chain and has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact, seeking a 20% reduction of scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 2025, and a 50% reduction by 2030 - versus their 2018 baseline. Nestle has also launched a program to help smallholder farmers improve their sustainability practices, which has had a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
6. Coca-Cola
The gargantuan beverage manufacturer has implemented sustainable practices in its manufacturing and distribution processes, with 90% of their packaging being recyclable globally where viable infrastructure exists. Coca-Cola has set a goal to replenish 100% of the water it uses in its beverages and production processes, with 61% of the equivalent bottles and cans they introduced into the market in 2021, being collected for reuse or recycling.
5. Tesla
Tesla is leading the way in increasing sustainable transportation. The company's electric cars have zero emissions, which has a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, the global fleet of Tesla vehicles, energy storage and solar panels enabled Tesla's customers to avoid emitting 8.4mn metric tons of CO2e. Tesla has also implemented sustainable practices throughout its manufacturing processes, such as using renewable energy sources and recycling materials all the way up and down the chain.
4. Unilever
Unilever, a consumer goods company, has made sustainability a key part of its business strategy. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact and has implemented sustainable practices throughout its supply chain. Unilever has also launched a program to help smallholder farmers improve their sustainability practices, which has not only had a positive impact on the environment but also on local communities. 53% of Unilever's plastic packaging was reusable, recyclable or compostable in 2021, and the company recycled 633,344 tons of waste in the same year, out of a total 658,665 tons of generated waste.
3. IKEA
The globally recognised furniture retailer, IKEA, has implemented sustainable practices throughout its entire supply chain. The company uses renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, in its manufacturing and transportation processes. IKEA also aims to source all of its wood and paper products from sustainable sources by 2020 and has implemented recycling programs for its products at the end of their life.
2. Patagonia
Patagonia, an outdoor clothing company, has set a high standard for sustainable supply chains in the fashion industry. The company uses sustainable materials such as recycled polyester and organic cotton in its products and has also implemented fair labour practices in its supply chain. Patagonia has also committed to transparency and regularly discloses information about its supply chain to the public.
1. Interface
Interface, the modular carpet tile manufacturer and parent company of FLOR, has made sustainability a core part and central principles of its overall business strategy. The 2020 UN Global Climate Action Award Winner, 75% of the energy used at its manufacturing sites is from renewable sources, including 100% renewable electricity at all factory sites. 76% of the energy used at their owned manufacturing sites is renewable, and they saw a 96% reduction in market-based GHG emissions at their carpet manufacturing sites, not to mention that 50% of all the materials in Interface's flooring products recycled or bio-based.
Interface has also implemented a closed-loop recycling system where it recycles used carpet tiles into new products. This has not only reduced waste but also reduced the company's dependence on non-renewable resources, allowing them to take first place in the Procurement Magazine Top 10 list of most sustainable supply chains.
