Supply chain News and trends

In a strategic move aimed at conserving precious natural resources and advancing the principles of the circular economy, Hanson, a renowned leader in the UK construction industry, has recently announced the establishment of an innovative recycling business line. This new venture is poised to revolutionize the way construction and demolition waste is handled, signalling a significant commitment to sustainable practices.

Via EcoVadis

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and BIMCO, together with the International Ship Suppliers’ Association (ISSA) and the International HazMat Association (IHMA), have collaborated to develop a new guide to help both shipowners and ship suppliers comply with new ship recycling regulations.

As informed, the new guidelines will help the shipping companies to comply with both the current EU Ship Recycling Regulations (EUSRR) and the Hong Kong Convention on Ship Recycling (HKC) where ratification is anticipated next year.

Under both sets of regulations, the shipowner must develop and maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for each vessel they own. In support of this, ship suppliers must provide material declarations (MDs) and Supplier’s Declarations of Conformity (SDoC) for equipment delivered to the ship.

Via EcoVadis

“As the first plastic tax to be implemented globally, the UK PPT is a harbinger of the worldwide movement reinforcing the polluter pays principle alongside extended producer responsibility,” said Stephen Jamieson, global head of circular economy solutions at SAP. “By disincentivising the use of unsustainable materials, the government is at the same time incentivising the market value of recyclable plastic, fostering a sustainable circular economy that will have global repercussions.”

Via EcoVadis

The European Outdoor Group (EOG) industry association has unveiled new proposals aimed at addressing the issue of single use plastics in the outdoor apparel value chain.

A new report from EOG's Single Use Plastics Project (SUPP) recommends a system for recycling more plastic bags before they end up in incinerators, landfill or are sent for export.

EOG said the initial plan had been to find a plastic-free alternative material to protect garments and other outdoor equipment en route from manufacturers in Asia to brands in Europe but this had not proved the best option.

Via EcoVadis

Companies are ramping up their climate commitments, and with them their ambitions to source materials—such as green steel, recycled aluminum, and recycled plastic—that have lower emissions intensity than their conventional equivalents. Production capacity for many low-emissions materials, however, appears set to fall far short of future demand. For example, our analysis suggests that in 2030 demand for green steel in Europe could be twice as great as the available supply. Projections point to global shortages of recycled aluminum and recycled plastic.

Via EcoVadis

Russian retailer Fix Price has announced the rollout of eco-friendly branded bags across its estate, which are made form 40% recycled polyethylene.

Over the coming months, all large shopping bags, of which between four million and eight million are sold per month, will be replaced with new eco-friendlier alternatives.

The bags contain no bio-additives or PVC and can be recycled.

Via EcoVadis

Solving the ongoing packaging conundrum demands a significant shift in how businesses think — moving from a linear to a circular model of operation to improve the amount of packaging that can be reused, recycled and returned to the value chain.

Companies are under more pressure than ever before to ensure their packaging does not have a lasting impact on the natural environment. At the same time, consumers are hyperaware of the need to reduce the amount of plastic waste because of its impact on the environment. As a result, more countries are proposing regulation to reduce waste while business leaders have put the recyclability of materials as a top agenda issue.

Via EcoVadis

As brands continue to learn more about sustainability, their collections reflect this eco-friendly effort. In 2021, a number of denim companies launched what they consider to be their most sustainable collections to date, featuring alternative fibers, recycled materials and water- and energy-saving processes.

Via EcoVadis

Materials science and manufacturing company Avery Dennison has partnered with textile waste recycling specialist Ambercycle to launch an intelligent digital care label solution.

Via EcoVadis

"There is a “clear economic case” for more circular production processes, Chaudhury said. She pointed to research that has found that 95 per cent of the value of plastic packaging is lost after its first use, which totals some $80-$120 billion."

Via EcoVadis

The City of Phoenix, AZ and Recyclebank, a company that pioneered and patented an education and incentives platform to help cities encourage residents to make sustainable purchasing and disposal habits, formally announced today that they will be teaming up to amplify the city’s “Reimagine Phoenix” initiative, a program aimed at diverting 40 percent of the city’s waste from landfills by 2020.

Via EcoVadis

Although 'moving season' — mid-May through mid-Sept. — is behind us, the folks at MyMove.com have some thoughts on how to haul all of your worldly possessions from points A to B with minimal eco-impact.

Via Flora Moon, Lauren Moss, Mercor

Apple will use 100% recycled cobalt in batteries by 2025. It already uses large quantities of recycled rare earths and tungsten in products and has begun using AR to support disassembly.

Via EcoVadis

Stellantis will look to upgrade its medium-term target for the minimum percentage of recycled material in its vehicles from 35 percent, the carmaker's Senior Vice President Global Circular Economy Alison Jones said.

In its business plan, Stellantis has set a goal to boost revenues of its recycling business ten-fold to over 2 billion euros ($1.9 billion) by 2030. It also aims to quadruple revenues from extended-life parts and services.

"We talk about having a minimum target of 35 percent of recycled materials in our vehicles, it will vary by vehicles," Jones said on Tuesday whilw presenting Stellantis's Circular Economy business.

"Of course we will look to increase that, because we want to make sure we take more material and put it back in our vehicles going forward," Jones said, without specifying what the percentage might rise to.

Jones said the project -- based on "reman," "repair," "reuse" and "recycle" -- would help the group meet its carbon net zero target set for 2038.

It will also help the automaker to keep prices lower as the shift to electrification often means more expensive vehicles, and cope with potential prolonged shortages of raw materials in its supply chain.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has said scarcity of raw materials will continue in the next decade, adding it is a key task for the carmaker to extend the life of materials it uses.

Via EcoVadis

“As the first plastic tax to be implemented globally, the UK PPT is a harbinger of the worldwide movement reinforcing the polluter pays principle alongside extended producer responsibility,” said Stephen Jamieson, global head of circular economy solutions at SAP. “By disincentivising the use of unsustainable materials, the government is at the same time incentivising the market value of recyclable plastic, fostering a sustainable circular economy that will have global repercussions.”

Via EcoVadis

German polymer materials manufacturer Covestro and Chinese companies Huafeng and Cyclone say they have jointly developed a 'more sustainable' way of producing high-quality running and sports shoes.

It makes use of Covestro's Insqin waterborne polyurethane (PU), textile technology company Huafeng's Haptic 3D textile printing system and recycled PET fibers from Cyclone to signficantly reduce carbon emissions.

Cyclone's recycled polyester yarns are used for the shoe uppers and coated using Huafeng's 3D Haptic textile printing process and Covestro's partially bio-based Impranil eco DLS polyurethane (PU) dispersion as a binder.

Via EcoVadis

PET plastics producer Indorama Ventures has announced a partnership with chemical recycling specialist Carbios as it looks to scale the company’s proprietary technology at the former’s site in Longlaville, France.

The goal is to establish the world’s first industrial-scale enzymatic recycling plant for plastics and textiles, which is expected to cost more than €200 million (US$225m) and boast a processing capacity of more than 50,000 tonnes of post-consumer PET per annum. 

“With this first medium-sized plant, we want to become the world reference for the circular economy of plastics and textiles,” noted Carbios’ chief executive, Emmanuel Ladent. “This plant will pave the way towards international commercial and industrial deployment.” 

Via EcoVadis

Echo Environmental’s technology breaks wires down into raw materials that can be reused and resold, reducing landfill waste.

Comcast has committed to be carbon neutral by 2035 in Scope 1 and 2 emissions across the company’s entire global operations. Recycling the coax cable is a major step step towards addressing scope 3 emissions and Comcast’s broader environment goals. Coaxial cables include multi-layered cords with a steel inner conductor, insulating layer, and conductive shielding, as well as 27 different polymers requiring separation for use in new products.

Via EcoVadis

Rental fashion firm Rent the Runway (RTR) has launched a ‘Fast Fashion Free’ campaign to encourage consumers to donate “unwearable” garments.

The company has teamed up with Green Tree Textiles Recycling, which will recycle the stock collected into insulation for new buildings.

Rent the Runway says it planned the campaign’s launch to coincide with the new year as this is a time “when they [consumers] are already reassessing lifestyles on the whole”. 

Via EcoVadis

In this article, John Jackson discusses the importance and value of creating a green circular economy, bringing attention to how businesses may need to consider adapting current processes into becoming more environmentally friendly. As well as this, John introduces the use of recycled or reconditioned products and materials as a considerable method that could significantly contribute towards a business's decarbonisation strategy.

Via EcoVadis

Samsung’s First Look event, held virtually on January 6th, saw the company affirm its commitment to pursuing accessibility, sustainability and innovation in all its latest products and technologies to help redefine the role of the television in consumers’ homes.

 Samsung has embarked on a sustainability journey that puts the environment first in all business operations with several long-term sustainability programs that include sustainable packaging design, solar cell-powered remote controls and the reduction of carbon footprints through the use of recycled materials.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about Samsung’s commitment to a sustainable future through its eco-friendly visual display products and processes.

Via EcoVadis

Tougher vehicle pollution standards and mandatory air suction waste systems are two of the initiatives that the Singapore government will be implementing to curb emissions and revive the nation’s stagnant domestic recycling rates, but experts say more must be done to encourage Singaporeans to adopt more environmentally responsible lifestyles.

Via EcoVadis

P&G says its move to increase the amount of post-consumer plastic in its production is part of an effort to establish a “unique supply chain” that will rely on thousands of volunteers and hundreds of non-government organisations to collect plastic waste from beaches. 

Via EcoVadis