Supply Chain Sustainability Case

SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable development refers to where it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability in a scientific way is the capacity of our human society to continue indefinitely within these natural cycles.
In order for a company to become more environmentally sustainable and maximise that capability one first has to buy into a company in order to have mutual value creation whereby terms and conditions have to be set out clearly for both parties to achieve goals. Proceed to find where the impacts are, then proceed to find out how is that company uniquely placed to do something that is really good for the environment and uniquely placed to do really good for that company.
Concepts of the 4R’s (Reuse, Recycle, Return and Repurpose). Quantitative methods to evaluate the environmental impact of products like lifecycle perspective system analysis (“cradle to grave”), mass and energy balance, direct data, indirect data and impact assessment categories.
The circular economy principle is one that is restorative by design, and which aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value, at all times. Advocates efficiency and 'functional service' whereby manufacturers or retailers increasingly retain the ownership of their products and where possible act as service providers - selling the use of products. Tries to phase out waste. Thinks in systems whereby stocks and flows are emphasised.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
Sustainable development - meets the needs of the present without compromising the abilit of future generations to meet their own needs.
1980's- henrick robert (scientific definition) - root causes of unsustainability - we live in the biosphere, thin and fragile as the skin on the onion, plants and animals cycle, cycle system is open with respect to energy, system closed with respect to matter. law of conservation of matter. Matter 4 billion yrs ago is the same just reshaped and reformed.
Everything has the tendency to reform - law of entropy - dispersion works in 1 dimension (direction)
Photosynthesis - Slow geological cycles - lithosphere to biosphere movements of earth, millions of years.
Sustainability is the capacity of our human society to continue indefinitely within these natural cycles. 4 root causes of unsustainability.