The Tar Heel Chapter of CSCMP held a dinner meeting in Research Triangle Park, NC with a presentation on Challenges & Rewards: Achieving a Sustainable Business. There were representatives from a local university business school, trucking, technology manufacturing, cosmetics manufacturing and packaging companies. The presentation was given by Nancy Geisler, Vice President of Sustainability, for Unisource Worldwide, Inc.
Nancy gave a great overview of sustainability in business and examples of what many companies are already doing. First is to consider price versus cost, even though you have found the best “price”, what is it really costing? Is the environment impacted negatively in order to create that best price? Another is to more efficiently transport goods through packaging changes or ensuring full truckloads every time.
Many companies, such as Unisource and Wal-Mart, are going green, driving their suppliers to go green and in turn creating more educated consumers. They realize that they can save the planet for future generations and change the way people consume. There are many ways that companies can be sustainable: reducing idle time for trucks, utilizing route management software and tying it to driver compensation, using only certified papers, improving indoor air quality, using green cleaning products, changing the use of lighting in a facility, and asking suppliers how they are reducing their carbon footprint.
Christine Johnson
Regional Director - North Carolina