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Pull the plug on inefficiency, not sustainability

By Caddie Digital on June 4th, 2020 in Circular Economy, Climate change
3R don't throw sustainability down the drain

When budgets are tight, there’s a tendency to view sustainability initiatives like marketing and IT costs – they’re often the first to go, but at what cost?

Over the last 8 weeks, most companies will have been taking a close look at their business and assessing the impact of COVID-19. 

While we’ve all been in this together, the impacts have varied significantly – from those who have found it impossible to operate, to those who have been able to continue in some capacity, and those that have taken the chance to pivot their business and find a new opportunity. 

I’ve been delighted to see that not all of these pivots were about profit; with many choosing to share their expertise, services or simply their positivity for the greater good. 

One company that struck me as being particularly innovative and localising their supply chain was Adlux which went from manufacturing skylights to manufacturing face shields during lockdown.  Not only did Adlux identify and then rapidly supply a product in high demand for the medical professionals, but it also managed to retain staff and employ another 40. 

The company’s Facebook post of 7 May 2020 reiterated this commitment stating that, “We have worked hard in sourcing all the materials required to produce the Face Shield from New Zealand suppliers, supporting the local economy. The driving factor was to keep employment in New Zealand and in doing this we will be helping to keep many NZ workers in employment during this time of uncertainty.”

At 3R, we are firm believers that product stewardship and other environmental sustainability initiatives can deliver many of the things that are so important to us right now: efficiencies, cost savings, increased social licence to operate, new sales, increasingly loyal customers, and most of all, opportunity.

“Sustainability” can often feel a bit daunting (and a lot cliched) – what does it even mean?  Well, it simply means that we live and work without jeopardising the ability of future generations to live and work.  Basically, making sure we use our resources in the most efficient and maintainable way possible, so that we don’t mess it up for our children and theirs.

When budgets are tight, there’s a tendency to view sustainability initiatives like marketing and IT costs – they’re often the first to go, but at what cost?  We’ve all heard a dozen times during this crisis, and others, that those that pull back on marketing are often the last to pull out of the crisis.  And I’m sure no one could argue when I say that effective IT systems have delivered a good ROI for business during the lockdown. 

We know from experience that any time spent delving into inputs, outputs and processes generally benefits a business.  Over the last 16 years, we’ve had many examples where taking a closer look at waste or figuring out how to recycle something efficiently has reaped financial rewards – some as simple as not paying to send rainwater to the tip. (As you can imagine, a lid was quickly added to that outdoor skip.) 

Environmental initiatives are no different – as I said, it’s just about using our resources more efficiently.  Take carbon emission reductions – they often come from increased efficiencies in transport, travel and energy use – all direct costs to your bottom line.

The current pandemic has also highlighted how important it is to manage risk.  Significant challenges have been felt in our supply chains, making a local, more circular economy much more appealing and manageable.  Combine that with the estimated benefits to business of the circular economy (assessed at $6-$8 billion to Auckland alone by 2030), and suddenly sustainability doesn’t look like a non-essential spend.  The increasing focus on climate change by accountants worldwide shows this larger threat will hit us in the pocket if we don’t pay attention, and act.

So, if you’re thinking about what you should be focusing on over the next weeks, months and years, I’d encourage you not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  Let’s embrace the opportunities sustainability provides.

Previous 3R Sustainable future is now

The time for sustainability is now

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Game-changing Government announcement in the war on waste

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ISO 14001:2015

Environmental management systems and safe work practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that certifies our commitment to environmental management systems and safe work practices.

Consistent with our environmental policy, the intended outcomes of our environmental management system include:

  • The enhancement of environmental performance;
  • The fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • The achievement of environmental objectives.

Our ISO 14001:2015 certification includes 3R Operations, the Paint Product Stewardship Programmes, ChemCollect Service and the SeatSmart Child Car Seat Recycling Programme (owned and operated by 3R).

This certification is audited by TELARC.

ISO 45001:2018

Keeping our people safe, healthy and happy.

ISO 45001:2018 certification has been chosen to demonstrate the importance we place in caring for our people as we bring to life our values of Kaitiakitanga and Manaakitanga.

Keeping our team safe, healthy and happy is a primary focus for our business. We feel that the work our operations staff do makes this particularly important. Their responsibilities can include collecting and processing paint; collecting chemicals; driving trucks around the country; and getting hands-on with work wherever needed.

3R received ISO 45001:2018 certification in 2021. The ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years and includes annual surveillance audits which provide a valuable framework for further growth.

What is a circular economy?

New Zealand is “one of the highest generators of waste per person in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”. The way we currently produce and manage our waste is not sustainable.

The current economy in New Zealand is linear: this equates to a process of take-make-use-dispose. The aim of the government is to move towards a circular economy.

A circular economy can refer to either biological or technical materials.

With biological materials, the cycle could be defined as make-consume-enrich. In this cycle waste returns to the environment and enriches the land.

A technical materials cycle may be more like make-use-return. In a technical materials cycle waste is repurposed and used to make something new.

Whether you need help with biological materials, technical materials, or both; 3R can partner with your business to assess your current waste, then help you reduce it.