A sustainable supply chain creates local and global impacts
If you’re someone who cares about our planet’s health, you likely already compost your food scraps and run errands on bike or foot. But your sustainability efforts don’t have to stop at home. Building a sustainable supply chain in your business is one of the best ways to impact the world positively.
Expanding the conversation on sustainable supply chains
“Sustainable supply chain management shifts the traditional linear supply chain elements of speed, cost, and reliability into a more circular process to ensure all materials, products, and efforts used within the supply chain are renewed or reused, rather than wasted,” according to the Association for Supply Chain Management.
It’s common to think of physical products in a sustainable supply chain when considering that description. After all, it’s easy to imagine the process of sourcing raw materials, turning those materials into a product, and then transporting that product to a destination.
In that traditional example, there are multiple opportunities to promote social and environmental responsibility. For example, you can make sure the raw materials are sourced sustainably, the production workers are treated fairly, and the transportation process is as environmentally sustainable as possible.
What’s often overlooked in the sustainable supply chain conversation is the power of partnering with sustainability-minded service providers. By choosing to work with others who care about social and environmental responsibility, you’re strengthening your whole interconnected supply chain network.
How B Corps form a network of impact
iilo is a Certified B Corp that provides communication design services. This means we’ve demonstrated that we meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability to all of our stakeholders. Each year, we report on our business activities, which include our sustainable supply chain, to drive continuous improvement and maintain our B Corp status.
As a B Corp, we’re proud to join a movement benefiting all people, communities, and the planet. And it’s great to know we’re not alone! Businesses of all sizes are joining the B Corp movement and working together to accelerate change. By purchasing goods and services from B Corps, you’re supporting the collective vision of an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.
How buying local amplifies community impact
Another opportunity to make an impact is to purchase from local businesses. According to research by LOCO BC, local businesses:
- Recirculate up to 4.6 times more revenue in the local economy than multinationals
- Recirculate up to $63 out of every $100 back into the local economy, compared to $14 for multinationals
- Produce up to 8.4 times more jobs per square foot, and up to 8.1 times more revenue per square foot than multinationals
- Donate up to 24 times more per dollar of revenue to local charities than multinationals
In other words, when you support local businesses, you’re providing jobs to your neighbours, supporting charities in your area, and boosting your local economy!
Start building a sustainable supply chain
Are you ready to start building a sustainable supply chain? Check out these resources to find businesses focused on social and environmental responsibility that you can purchase from:
- Canadian Certified B Corporation Directory
- LOCO BC Directory
- 1% for the Planet Directory
- Community of Accessible Employers
- Living Wage Employers
It’s okay to start small when you’re just beginning your sustainable supply chain journey. For example, you can purchase client or staff appreciation gifts from a local supplier, or you can cater food for your next event from a social enterprise in your community.
When you research a new service provider, you can also ask questions beyond the usual ones related to pricing and scope of work. In fact, the following questions are great to pose to your existing business partners as well!
- How do you measure your social and environmental performance?
- Do you pay your employees a living wage?
- How do you promote accessibility in the workplace?
- How do you support your local community?
It’s not a coincidence that iilo regularly reports on our impact in the areas above. We believe in using our business as a force for good. If this resonates with you, connect with us the next time you need communication design support. We’d love to join your business’s sustainable supply chain!