One might describe corporate sustainability management as a combination of government environmental legislation and "corporate grass roots" movements.
Individual corporations and entire industries have seized on efforts usually seen as individuals' choices and have adopted these choices to the corporate domain. With incentives from customers and from legislative programs, corporate sustainability management has expanded into quality management practices and defines what good corporate citizenry means today.
For example, the global electronics supply chain follows both internal corporate sustainability management goals and external directives such as Basel Action Network's e-Stewards Initiative, EU's WEEE, and RoHS, among others.
There are many decisions, both company internal and external, that influence the growth of sustainability programs. Corporate practices range from the physical changes (building architecture, energy efficiency, water conservation, etc.) to more process-oriented programs (office recycling, environmentally-focused services, zero-landfill goals for e-waste, green packaging, etc.).
The endpoint is a significant greening of the supply chain benefiting everyone.
Manufacturing and corporate sustainability practices
Electronics companies are responding to consumer demands to reduce the industry's footprint while following their own e-stewardship goals. Among the corporate practices are setting goals for reduced carbon footprints, ever-lower energy consumption, and effective e-waste recycling. Corporate sustainability practices involve synchronizing stewardship with traditional business goals to realize cost reductions; aligning with national and international regulations; and delivering innovative solutions for responsible material use, manufacturing, and resource management.
For those who manufacture or engineer products, the expectations are heavily weighted toward innovative technologies. OEMs seek to balance the demand for more environmentally friendly materials and process with energy conservation and products with a greener footprint. Customers, who are setting their own goals for e-stewardship, are demanding such devices.
In turn, manufacturers increasingly expect their suppliers to be environmentally aware and good stewards themselves. As suppliers, sustainability practices and efforts are, obviously, removed from the manufacturing domain, the focus is then switched to what companies at these supply chain points can do to improve their corporate sustainability efforts.
Electronics manufacturers and suppliers are amending their personal and professional guiding principles to include environmental stewardship. Making a shift toward corporate sustainability is not an overnight transition, but the importance of green business solutions continues to grow. Indifference surrounding the environmental impact of the electronics industry could eventually lead to missed opportunities in a greening corporate world.
As the corporate "greenovation" continues, like-minded green business partners will increasingly align with each other, leaving the other players to reevaluate the value of a greener electronics supply chain.
Art, again recycled usage of components and devices are very unhealthy especially when it handled by public. I personally feel that “Green movements” won’t limit to recycling the wastage or products. It can extend the visibility to other areas like using as much of natural lighting sources and power generations, minimizing the usage of paper, creating more ecco friendly working atmosphere etc.
@Bolaji Ojo: At Smith, we recognize that there is tremendous interest and innovative ideas from our employees, and that is how our self-directed Smith Sustainability Group (SSG) came into existence. As you rightly point out, corporate sustainability is not a top-down event, it is best formulated, engaged, and successful when it involves the entire organization - from ideas to planning to meeting goals. As such, SSG is tasked with setting Smith's environmental goals (rather than having these goals imposed from above), building green education and awareness for employees, and implementing programs that encourage employees to take sustainable action. As part of this, SSG developed Smith's Green Bag Lunch Series, available to Smith employees, which launched in October 2012. The most recent speaker was Houston Sustainability Manager, Lisa Lin, who spoke on various sustainability issues and green events in Houston.
Then we're back in the climate of men-behaving-badly-because-they-can, aren't we? I grew up in a place like that and the mayhem that's resulted from everyone looking out only for themselves is crippling. I left. I don't believe we've reached that level here but isn't that also why we are better than those who would either live a lawless life or flout the law wconvinced there are no repercussions?
"convincing folks, including engineers and other well educated folks that man is leaving negative imprints on the environment"
Who is going to be first to deny themselves easy profit? That's the real question. I don't think we're making too many people with that ability to deny themselves. Are we even promoting the idea? In fact, it's common to attack philosophies that promote caring about others.
When companies have to make the change either for legal or economic reasons (including waste reduction and marketing), then we'll see it, but I don't think we'll see it before that.
That's why, you're right, it will be baby steps. It will be huge grown adults taking baby steps.
Art, The people who are very likely to doubt the importance or embrace efforts to limit the impact of our discarded products on the environment include engineers and other professionals. A company cannot mandate that people believe in global warming, for instance, or force them to recycle if they don't see value in it. How do you get employees to embrace this without sounding like a tyrannical boss?
I suggest baby steps. Like convincing folks, including engineers and other well educated folks that man is leaving negative imprints on the environment or that global warming exists!
"Small steps toward environmental change can have a big impact."
Have to agree with that. Some mitigation is better than none, and the big impact I see is the beginning of a mindset that leads to more substantial improvements in the waste-generating process and not just improvements in recycling (if I understood you correctly).
@Rich Krajewski: Small steps toward environmental change can have a big impact. The first step is awareness and making the environment a priority. Our movement started with a goal to be an energy-neutral, zero-waste company. Although we have not yet reached our goal, incremental progress is our path forward and feels like a win for Smith and for the environment. Technology is always evolving with newer, faster products constantly being introduced into the market, but there are steps we can take in addition to recycling to handle technological growth and advancement in an environmentally responsible manner. For example, Smith offers services to our customers for IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) that take important steps to avert EOL product from being sent to landfills or falling into the hands of counterfeiters. Practices like these, in combination with recycling and waste diversion efforts (such as e-Stewards Recyclers), are gaining the momentum needed to change the way our industry thinks about EOL product and disposal.
As semiconductor penetration increases, it is worthwhile to stop and recognize that not all industrial clients may have the same familiarity with electronics industry best-practices.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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