Key players in retail recognize that sustainability must be an integral part of corporate culture, not just a role in the company for success, and that a culture of sustainability relates to every organizational function from procurement to disposal.
This means companies across the supply chain need to look for ways to give something back to society, set green standards, and improve cultural performance.
This is confirmed by Jaymie Pagdato, Marketing Director of Tetra Pak Oceania, who explains that Retail World companies and brands must support a sustainable planet in order to maintain loyalty and brand support.
"Every company, regardless of the industry, must pursue corporate goals as part of its social responsibility," said Pagdato. “Consumers are demanding it, government and industry are encouraging it. It will continue to be an operating license.
"It has to be part of the corporate culture, ideally with a person in a committed role or a team that promotes continuous awareness, training and practice."
She adds that collaboration must take place across the industry, including government, retailers, collectors, recyclers, trade associations, and NGOs, to find solutions faster.
Nestlé supply chain transparency
Nestlé is also aware of the need for sustainable practices related to sourcing and operating ingredients.
Accordingly, it is working with a new premium coffee from a single source, Chain of Origin, which, as the provider of complete transparency of the supply chain from harvest to cup with technology, is the focus.
“This leads to greater accountability for everyone in the supply chain. Key aspects of agriculture and manufacturing can be promoted, ”said Armin Nehzat, Digital Technology Manager at Nestlé Australia
Yume does it by eating
Yume, an online marketplace for "high quality" food surpluses, works with farmers, large manufacturers and businesses to avoid food waste and to reuse it where possible.
According to Katy Barfield, CEO and founder of Yume, around 4.1 million tons of excess food is wasted each year, with the majority (55 percent) being in primary production, manufacturing and wholesale.
“Tractor units with the number 560 are literally wasted every day. This only affects the commercial area. Food waste from households, supermarkets or the hospitality industry is not taken into account.
"A sustainability mindset must be inherent in an organization and not just be assigned to one person or department."
Sustainability receives organic players
The idea behind the Australian organic food business (part of the Flavor Makers group) was to develop a range of 100% certified Australian organic food that is 100% better for Australians and 100% better for Australia's climate-damaging soils.
The company's underlying strategy was to build a sustainable supply chain for organic food from Australian sources.
According to Adrian Cester, CEO and founder of Australian Organic Food Co, the company saved 22 tons of healthy organic products from waste, while its agricultural partners harvested almost 160 tons of organic products that filled 460,000 trays of 100% Australian organic -Soup.
