Procurement and supply chain
Step one - Beginner
The first step to improving your supply chain is understanding who you work with, where your materials and resources come from, and how your procurement choices align with your sustainability goals.
Understanding Circular Economy Principles
The circular economy is a production model that involves reducing material use and eliminating waste. The model focuses on sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials to extend the lifespan for as long as possible.
Map out your Supply Chain
Whether you sell products, or services, your supply chain will be one of the main sources of your carbon emissions. By mapping out your supply chain, you can easily identify opportunities for improvement; e.g. reducing packaging on deliveries, or moving to a supplier who is closer to your location to reduce the distances travelled.
Think about the products and services that you sell, and who supplies the materials for them. As an SME, you could have multiple different suppliers, or very few. Start by listing your suppliers. You could:
- Note all of the materials that you use, as well as the materials that each supplier uses to package the goods that arrive to you.
- Review the services that you use and what role they play in your business.
- Include your logistic partners who provide distribution services between you and your customers.
Download our template for Mapping your Supply Chain.
Once you’ve created your list of suppliers, you can then establish a baseline set of information. Consider tracking metrics such as what waste is generated, the distance the goods or services travel and how important each item is to your wider activity. You can then spot easy opportunities for improvement.