Toying with green issues
Media interest in environmental issues such as scarcity of resources and sustainability has gained momentum in recent years. But while these topics continue to make compelling headlines in international news, approaching the issue has left many feeling puzzled.
However, an article this week highlights how the American manufacturer Green Toys Inc. has played the mounting concern over the environment to their advantage. Since 2007, the toy company has been making a colorful array of children’s products from nothing but recycled milk bottles. Despite initially targeting the niche markets, Green Toys has now achieved international growth into 75 countries across the world. In addition, through combining responsible sourcing, innovative product design with efficient logistics, the manufacturer has managed to maintain its green supply chain model.
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Supply chain bottle necks build barriers for US housing
Following the worst housing downturn since the 1930s, it seems that the recent increase in demand for new housing is building into a US market bounce-back. However, according to an article which was featured in Bloomberg this week, construction supply chains have been left in ruins following the difficult financial environment that demolished the industry back in 2008. As a result, prices for building materials have jumped by as much as 68% in the last year as every level of the construction supply chain struggles to increase output.
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Bangladeshi disaster reignites anger over supplier exploitation
Shocking news hit the headlines this week as a tragic accident struck Bangladeshi’s controversial garment industry. According to the Telegraph, an 8 story factory which supplied high street brands including Primark and Matalan collapsed, taking the lives of 175 people and injuring hundreds more. In a desperate attempt to save any trapped survivors, civilians joined the rescue mission, some using nothing but their bare hands to dig through the rubble.
News of this saddening event comes just days after heavy protesting over another catastrophic incident in which a Bangladeshi fire tore through a Wal-Mart supplier’s factory, killing 112 people. This most recent event highlights pitfalls in businesses that exploit cheap labor in developing nations in order to cut costs out of the supply chain.
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