Fifteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

The current situation regarding generation of waste has reached what has been termed “crisis proportions.” Currently, nations generate 1.2 billion metric tons of waste annually and projected to increase to 3.6 billion tons by 2100. The United States, China, Brazil, Japan, and Germany are the leading generators of trash, indicating that the more urbanized a country becomes, the more trash it produces. This paper focuses on the relationship between the generation of waste or trash in supply chains and its impact on environmental sustainability. The concept of sustainability is briefly introduced using the three pillars definition: economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Because the primary impact on sustainability from supply chain activities is on environmental sustainability, supply chain activities are linked to this impact. Benefits and barriers to improving supply chain sustainability are discussed. The supply chain cycle and its integral relation to the product cycle (as related to production and use of products in general) are described and their sustainability impacts discussed. The current state of supply chain related environmental sustainability in various countries is summarized, focusing on waste and trash. Opportunities for companies and individuals to benefit from reuse/recycling of trash are presented. Results of recent research concerning the status of supply chain sustainability in small and medium-size companies are presented. Examples of successful reuse/recycling of waste materials are described. A way forward to improve supply chain sustainability is presented in the form of the “6 Rs”: Rethink/reinvent, Refuse (to use), Reduce (usage), Reuse/repair, Recycle, Replace/rebuy.