18. Sustainability and the Supply Chain: How to Leverage your Vendors to Maximize Sustainability Efforts
Nov 30, 2023
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Learn about the evolution of vendor relationships towards sustainability outcomes, practical insights from a 40-year real estate career, and leveraging vendor relationships for a circular future. Explore Rogers' sustainability journey, Quantum's technology reuse focus, supplier communication importance, and promoting sustainable partnerships with vendors.
Companies can leverage vendors for sustainability by setting KPIs like product recycling and minimizing environmental impact.
Effective communication and alignment are crucial for driving sustainability initiatives within organizations and across supplier relationships.
Deep dives
Leveraging Supplier Relationships for Sustainability Goals
Companies can leverage their vendors to achieve sustainability goals more effectively. Through supplier engagement, companies like Rogers Communications and Quantum Lifecycle Partners have demonstrated successful partnerships in evolving from recycling telecom scrap to addressing sustainability outcomes in vendor contracts. This collaboration involves setting sustainability KPIs for suppliers, such as maximizing product recycling, minimizing environmental impact, and fostering a circular economy through supplier engagement.
Driving Alignment and Communication for Sustainable Practices
Effective communication and alignment are key in driving sustainability initiatives within organizations and across supplier relationships. Rogers and Quantum emphasize the importance of open communication, consistent touchpoints, and proactive supplier engagement in aligning sustainability practices. By establishing cross-functional teams, maintaining regular communication, and being subject matter experts in their respective fields, organizations can better navigate the changing landscape of sustainability regulations and expectations.
Challenges and Solutions in Sustainability Partnerships
Challenges in sustainability partnerships include late involvement of suppliers in decision-making processes, conflicting business policies, and evolving customer demands. To address these challenges, organizations like Quantum emphasize proactive supplier engagement, alignment with changing regulations, and a focus on value creation beyond data security. By fostering a culture of curiosity, continuous improvement, and early collaboration, companies and suppliers can navigate sustainability challenges and drive positive environmental outcomes.
In this episode, recorded live at the Canadian Telecom Summit, McLarty engages in a dynamic discussion with Wayne Proulx, Senior Manager at Rogers Communications, and Clayton Miller, Vice President at Quantum Lifecycle Partners. Together, they explore the evolution of Rogers and Quantum's vendor relationship – from recycling telecom scrap to aligning with sustainability outcomes in vendor contracts.
Discover practical insights from Wayne's 40-year career in real estate and climate management, steering Rogers towards net-zero sustainability. Join Clayton, with over two decades of expertise in electronics recycling, as they unravel the complexities and opportunities of leveraging vendor relationships for a circular future.
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