Page 54 - Case Study Annual 2018

Enviro Awards
The Green Revolution
Barloworld Logistics’ supplychainforesight qualitative research presents local business’s
opinions on sustainable supply chains.
BARLOWORLD LOGISTICS conducted research
into the adaption of sustainable business
practices within the South African supply chain
context, entitled the Green Revolution. In South
Africa during 2017, 54.2 million tons of general
waste was generated; a mere 38.3 percent was
recovered or recycled, with 61.7 percent sent
to landfi ll. The waste industry is a key area of
opportunity for circular economy as well as job
creation.
The research by Barloworld Logistics
could not be more relevant to South African
businesses and consumers alike. Now in its
15 year, supplychainforesight is an industry
th
standard in qualitative research and a critical
thought leadership piece on business strategy
and supply chains in South Africa. The latest
edition reviews the opinions of South African
business leaders regarding the adoption of
sustainable business practices within the supply
chain, and business in general, to create a
snapshot of the state of green supply chains in
South Africa, as well as to garner insight into
the psyche of local supply chain leaders when it
52
comes to environmental practices.
Not unexpectedly, the research found that
as many as two-thirds of respondents have
adopted some environmental policy within their
organisations, but that such practices are still
considered to be tick-box exercises driven by
compliance requirements, and not real value
creating activities. Respondents also highlighted
a lack of resources and subdued C-suite support
as the main hurdles when attempting to move the
topic into the operational DNA of an organisation.
The latest supplychainforesight data
indicates that local businesses are indeed
adopting tactical waste management and
emissions programmes, but that these are
reactive at best. Respondents reported low
adoption of sustainable practices within
research and development, manufacturing
and raw material sourcing. If the footprint of a
product is not mitigated at the start, the cost
and waste burden of these at their end of life
will continue to hamper the local public and
private sectors alike, as well as individuals and
the natural environment. •
The Logistics News Case Study Annual 2018