Collaborative Relationships Key to Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to a Circular Economy | Sustainable Brands
Collaborative Relationships Key to Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to a Circular Economy Sustainable Brands
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Forging Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Business Transformation
Introduction
Modern businesses recognize the importance of pursuing a sustainable future, which has become the cornerstone of innovation and growth. Brands in various sectors face the challenge of establishing meaningful partnerships within their complex supply networks. However, this challenge also presents a significant opportunity for sustainable business transformation. Achieving increased brand sustainability requires collaborative efforts that transcend traditional boundaries and dismantle barriers to pave the way for collective success.
The Power of Collaboration: CHEP’s Approach
CHEP, a global leader in the supply chain industry, understands firsthand how collaboration fuels a more sustainable future. Through strategic partnerships with brands and companies of all sizes, CHEP aims to create a fully circular system within its operations through a collaborative share, repair, and reuse program. Any organization that purchases pallets of products can participate in CHEP’s circular model. Failure to return pallets to CHEP results in costly replacement fees, added labor costs, distribution surcharges, and environmental harm.
Challenges and Solutions
CHEP has found success in partnering with manufacturers and retail consumer goods companies, but faces challenges when enlisting organizations that do not prioritize pallets in their primary operations and logistics, such as airports and hospitals. The main obstacles identified in enlisting new participants into CHEP’s circular model are identifying the right relationships and educating them on the program’s environmental benefits.
A Successful Partnership: CHEP and SEATAC
As a member of the Sustainable Brands® (SB) Member Network, CHEP’s Senior Program Manager, Dennis Raffa, seized the opportunity to join a sustainability tour of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEATAC) during an SB Member Meeting hosted by Alaska Airlines. Raffa discovered that pallet storage was a pain point for SEATAC’s sustainability goals. By identifying the right relationships within the SB Member Network, CHEP and SEATAC developed a win-win solution that resulted in the return of 1,000 pallets to the CHEP pool, benefiting both parties.
Planet-Positive Results
The partnership between CHEP and SEATAC has yielded impressive results:
- 15,656 pounds CO2e saved, equivalent to that absorbed by 9 acres of forests
- 99 million BTUs of fossil fuel consumed, equivalent to 17 barrels of oil
- 271 board feet of wood consumed, equivalent to 1 mature tree
- 1,544 pounds of waste generated, equivalent to waste from 1 average US citizen
Expanding Collaborative Relationships
Understanding and overcoming hurdles with airport partners has allowed CHEP to apply the same roadmap towards future growth. After launching with SEATAC, CHEP began working with Denver International Airport and is in conversations with other airports and port authorities in the US. By working directly with sustainability teams, CHEP provides data on carbon emissions, waste, and lumber saved through partnerships, highlighting the power of collaboration in achieving individual sustainability goals.
Benefits of Collaborative Relationships
- Establish a new approach to enlisting participation across airports
- Address cross-industry supply chain issues holistically
- Engage sustainability teams on CHEP’s environmental impact
- Deliver planet- and business-positive results by returning more pallets into circulation
Join the Sustainable Brands Member Network
The Sustainable Brands Member Network is a community of brands and solution providers pursuing good growth through purpose-driven innovation, business transformation, and brand-led culture change. By joining the network, professionals can assess their sustainability journey, share insights and obstacles, forge new relationships, access premium research, and co-create solutions for progress. To learn more about becoming a member or joining upcoming member meetings, please contact us.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The article discusses the importance of sustainable business transformation and the need for collaborative partnerships to achieve increased brand sustainability. This aligns with SDG 12, which focuses on promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns. Additionally, the article highlights the power of collaboration and strategic partnerships, which is a key aspect of SDG 17, which aims to strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
- SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.
The article emphasizes the importance of sustainable resource management and efficient use of pallets in the supply chain industry. This aligns with SDG 12.2, which aims to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. Additionally, the article highlights the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration to drive sustainable development, which aligns with SDG 17.16.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of pallets recovered
- Reduction in CO2e emissions
- Reduction in fossil fuel consumption
- Reduction in wood consumption
- Reduction in waste generated
The article mentions that through the partnership between CHEP and SEATAC, 1,000 pallets were recovered, resulting in specific environmental benefits. These benefits include a reduction in CO2e emissions, fossil fuel consumption, wood consumption, and waste generated. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of sustainable resource management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | – Number of pallets recovered – Reduction in CO2e emissions – Reduction in fossil fuel consumption – Reduction in wood consumption – Reduction in waste generated |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. | N/A |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: sustainablebrands.com
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