Finding a use for e-waste
Dell’s foresight in its use of original design manufacturers (ODMs) has been paying dividends for some time. The computer manufacturer has however added another feather to its cap, having been awarded recently UL Environment’s first certification for manufacturing with closed-loop recycled plastics, for its new OptiPlex 3030 All-in-One desktop. The chassis of the computer is constructed from at least 10% post-consumer recycled plastics.
The firm credits its success to its partnership with Wistron GreenTech, an offshoot of one of its ODMs. Over the last three years, the two companies have been working closely to find sustainable uses for electronic waste.
Additionally, Dell offers its consumers in 78 countries a free collection program to recycle old computers. The company has developed methods to recover and reuse valuable metals from old electronics, easing the pressure of some already very strained resources.
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The NHS’s supply chain
Unethical practice—not an epithet one would want attached to a public care provider. It is however an unfortunate paradox: Britain’s public care provider, the National Health Service, tasked with the well-being of its citizens, uses hospital equipment suppliers whose workers toil in inhumane and dangerous conditions.
A recent investigation conducted by FinnWatch, a Finnish consumer organization, put Austrian company Semperit under scrutiny. The findings revealed that its hospital glove manufacturer in Thailand had its employees working up to 13 hour days, with only a half hour break. Semperit supplies healthcare providers globally.
Dr Mahmoud Bhutta, consultant surgeon and founder of the British Medical Association’s Medical Fair and Ethical Trade Group is highly alarmed with the state of affairs. He is pushing for constitutional amendments to make it mandatory for NHS to source ethically.
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Remanufacturing more important than ever
The APICS Foundation’s most recent report titled “Examining Remanufacturing in Supply Chain and Operations Management” has revealed the growing significance of remanufacturing for the B2B supply chain. While once more restricted to the B2C supply chains, businesses are increasingly seeing the value of remanufacturing.
This is reflected across the business landscape in perceived career advancement potential and a minimum level of experience in remanufacturing, now being seen as necessary. Furthermore, of those surveyed as part of the report, 50% expected to see a rising demand for remanufactured items. 68% of those surveyed also saw remanufacturing as key for businesses to become more sustainable.
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Have a nice weekend!
