I? reread an article titled ?A Practical Guide to Green Sourcing? and it occurred to me that if you already have good sourcing practices, the journey to green will be much easier.

A Practical Guide to Green Sourcing was written by? John Christensen, Christopher Park, Earl Sun, Max Goralnick, and Jayanth Iyengar? of? Supply Chain Management Review and published on? November 1st 2008. It is absolutely loaded with great information a lot of which should be just common sense..

A quote from the article really says it all and is a theme you should already be familiar with if you read my posts regularly. It is as follows. ?Green sourcing can help in two important ways. It can help companies improve their financial results, allowing them meet their cost reduction goals while also boosting revenues. It can also contribute to a better public image and reputation with the company’s stakeholders.? In essence this one quote supports triple bottom line accountability or TBL. However if you replaced the word green at the beginning of the quote with the following it still works

1.?Efficient
2.?Well thought out
3.?Strategic
4.?A refocus on your
5.?Reviewing your

I?m sure you can add another dozen to this list easily. I hope you will read the entire article. It may be your company?s first step towards a more successful 2011 and 2012.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

This week we have spent some time discussing the Four R?s of waste education; Reduce, reuse, recycle and rebuy.? Focus on these four areas can help companies begin to take steps to help begin reducing waste and become greener organizations.

As more companies begin taking steps to improve their processes, new areas will continue to open up for ways to grow this mindset and make it standard practice everywhere.? Today?s final entry of the series will take a look some of the new R?s that are beginning to emerge in today?s marketplace.

Recover ? This is defined as any operation that diverts a waste material from the waste stream and then? results in a certain product with a potential economic or ecological benefit. Recovery often focuses on material, energy or biological resources and generates income as well as reduces waste. Many companies such as Recover Waste Energy, Inc. (http://recoverwaste.com/) specialize in this process and are doing great things to manage organic waste.

Replenish ? Replenishing natural resources such as planting new shrubs and trees are a big part of not only replacing those resources being used for other products but it helps to create habitats and remove excess carbon from the air.? As an organization this may not be something you can affect directly, but it is definitely an area where you can select vendors who actively practice this in the course of their business.

Rethink ? This last ?R? is probably the most important new R as we head into a greener future for our planet.? Rethinking how we do everything involves a change in practice and mindset that examines everything we do looking for opportunities to rethink waste; how it is created; how it can be reduced; what we can do with it; and how we can use it in order to continue making a greener world

The first step to beginning to affect change begins with knowing where you are and where you need to go.?

We at SafeSourcing hope you have enjoyed this week?s series and look forward to your comments? For more information on us or how we can help you on your company?s journey down any of these ?R? paths, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

This week we have spent some time discussing the Four R’s of waste education; Reduce, reuse, recycle and rebuy.  Focus on these four areas can help companies begin to take steps to help begin reducing waste and become greener organizations.

As more companies begin taking steps to improve their processes, new areas will continue to open up for ways to grow this mindset and make it standard practice everywhere.  Today’s final entry of the series will take a look some of the new R’s that are beginning to emerge in today’s marketplace.

Recover – This is defined as any operation that diverts a waste material from the waste stream and then  results in a certain product with a potential economic or ecological benefit. Recovery often focuses on material, energy or biological resources and generates income as well as reduces waste. Many companies such as Recover Waste Energy, Inc. (http://recoverwaste.com/) specialize in this process and are doing great things to manage organic waste.

Replenish – Replenishing natural resources such as planting new shrubs and trees are a big part of not only replacing those resources being used for other products but it helps to create habitats and remove excess carbon from the air.  As an organization this may not be something you can affect directly, but it is definitely an area where you can select vendors who actively practice this in the course of their business.

Rethink – This last “R” is probably the most important new R as we head into a greener future for our planet.  Rethinking how we do everything involves a change in practice and mindset that examines everything we do looking for opportunities to rethink waste; how it is created; how it can be reduced; what we can do with it; and how we can use it in order to continue making a greener world

The first step to beginning to affect change begins with knowing where you are and where you need to go. 

We at SafeSourcing hope you have enjoyed this week’s series and look forward to your comments  For more information on us or how we can help you on your company’s journey down any of these “R” paths, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

Today we will cover the four most common R in the Four Waste Reduction R?s; Rebuy.? As procurement professionals this is where your influence has the greatest affect as you begin to close the loop on the journey to becoming a? greener company.

When companies purchase products made from recycled products they create a higher demand for manufacturers to produce even more of those products.? More products being manufactured leads to a higher volume of products that can continue to be recycled to the point where that process becomes the norm and not the exception.

There are many ways to begin the process of only buying recyclable items starting the entire green product use over again.

Start with the vendor ? There are many organizations that supply 100% recycled products.? These products from companies like Weisenbach Recycled Products (http://www.recycledproducts.com/) are made mostly or entirely from recycled products and can be recycled yet again upon the end of their lives.

Know the recycled products ? A key step in the process of successfully ?rebuying? is knowing what products are even available to purchase as recycled products.? Sites such as http://www.ecomall.com/biz/recycle1.htm contains extensive lists of products and companies that provide recycled catalogs of products to purchase.? Knowing what qualifies is an important step to procuring greener inventory.

Start simple ? Starting simple in your organization can be as easy as selecting bottled water that comes in 100% recycled plastic bottles that can in turn be recycled again.? This seems like a basic first step and that is because it is, but the fact of the matter is, as mentioned above, that when consumers demand and then continue to purchase products like this, manufacturers will continue to produce them and will in turn employ the process with other products.

Rebuying does close the loop on the Four R?s but it is not the end.? Tomorrow we will talk about all new R?s that are being considered a part of this great new trend.? For more information on SafeSourcing and how we can help you find vendors and products that are associated with rebuying, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week?s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Today we will cover the four most common R in the Four Waste Reduction R’s; Rebuy.  As procurement professionals this is where your influence has the greatest affect as you begin to close the loop on the journey to becoming a  greener company.

When companies purchase products made from recycled products they create a higher demand for manufacturers to produce even more of those products.  More products being manufactured leads to a higher volume of products that can continue to be recycled to the point where that process becomes the norm and not the exception.

There are many ways to begin the process of only buying recyclable items starting the entire green product use over again.

Start with the vendor – There are many organizations that supply 100% recycled products.  These products from companies like Weisenbach Recycled Products (http://www.recycledproducts.com/) are made mostly or entirely from recycled products and can be recycled yet again upon the end of their lives.

Know the recycled products – A key step in the process of successfully “rebuying” is knowing what products are even available to purchase as recycled products.  Sites such as http://www.ecomall.com/biz/recycle1.htm contains extensive lists of products and companies that provide recycled catalogs of products to purchase.  Knowing what qualifies is an important step to procuring greener inventory.

Start simple – Starting simple in your organization can be as easy as selecting bottled water that comes in 100% recycled plastic bottles that can in turn be recycled again.  This seems like a basic first step and that is because it is, but the fact of the matter is, as mentioned above, that when consumers demand and then continue to purchase products like this, manufacturers will continue to produce them and will in turn employ the process with other products.

Rebuying does close the loop on the Four R’s but it is not the end.  Tomorrow we will talk about all new R’s that are being considered a part of this great new trend.  For more information on SafeSourcing and how we can help you find vendors and products that are associated with rebuying, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week’s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Today we will be focusing on the Recycle ?R? of the four R?s and touch on some new ways your business can employ recycling to become more green.

Of all of the R?s recycling is most frequently being pursued by both the public and the corporate sectors.?? Recycling glass, paper and plastics have been in the works for years and are some of the most frequently recycled products.? Today we will touch on some new ways to recycle these and other materials in your business.

Start with the basics (Recycling bins) ? Many offices have started putting recycling bins next to their printers, in their break rooms and scattered throughout the office. This is a great way to begin taking the recycling steps needed to becoming a ?greener? organization.? Many times your solid waste removal company will be able to offer bins to help you begin this process.

Junk mail ? Hundreds of thousands of tons of junk mail is delivered to companies on an annual basis but few companies have processes in place to recycle that unwanted mail once it comes into the building.? Many waste removal companies can provide you with containers that will allow you collect this junk mail for recycling rather than waste disposal.

Fluorescent bulbs and tubes ? It is illegal to dispose of fluorescent bulbs, and there are many companies that can help you properly recycle these items including General Electric, IKEA, Home Depot and Waste Management to name but a few.? These companies will properly recycle these items in a safe manner for your business.

Electronics ? Businesses purchase billions of dollars of electronics every year and much of that becomes unusable or obsolete on a frequent basis.? Knowing how to recycle those items can be a huge step to making your company greener.? Sites such as http://www.digitaltips.org/green/corporate-recycling-programs.asp provide lists of companies that will take and recycle your electronic good sno matter what they are.

Office furniture ? Companies such as Office Furniture Warehouse (http://www.myofficefurniture.net/buy-back-program.htm) offer programs to buy back your undated or replaced office furniture.? Companies like these will not only come in and professionally remove your furniture but will also give you fair cash value for that furniture and will recycle it back into the next customer?s hand for continued use.

For more information on SafeSourcing and how you can find even more ways to support the Recycling process or purchase from companies who excel in recycling, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week?s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Today we will be focusing on the Recycle “R” of the four R’s and touch on some new ways your business can employ recycling to become more green.

Of all of the R’s recycling is most frequently being pursued by both the public and the corporate sectors.   Recycling glass, paper and plastics have been in the works for years and are some of the most frequently recycled products.  Today we will touch on some new ways to recycle these and other materials in your business.

Start with the basics (Recycling bins) – Many offices have started putting recycling bins next to their printers, in their break rooms and scattered throughout the office. This is a great way to begin taking the recycling steps needed to becoming a “greener” organization.  Many times your solid waste removal company will be able to offer bins to help you begin this process.

Junk mail – Hundreds of thousands of tons of junk mail is delivered to companies on an annual basis but few companies have processes in place to recycle that unwanted mail once it comes into the building.  Many waste removal companies can provide you with containers that will allow you collect this junk mail for recycling rather than waste disposal.

Fluorescent bulbs and tubes – It is illegal to dispose of fluorescent bulbs, and there are many companies that can help you properly recycle these items including General Electric, IKEA, Home Depot and Waste Management to name but a few.  These companies will properly recycle these items in a safe manner for your business.

Electronics – Businesses purchase billions of dollars of electronics every year and much of that becomes unusable or obsolete on a frequent basis.  Knowing how to recycle those items can be a huge step to making your company greener.  Sites such as http://www.digitaltips.org/green/corporate-recycling-programs.asp provide lists of companies that will take and recycle your electronic good sno matter what they are.

Office furniture – Companies such as Office Furniture Warehouse (http://www.myofficefurniture.net/buy-back-program.htm) offer programs to buy back your undated or replaced office furniture.  Companies like these will not only come in and professionally remove your furniture but will also give you fair cash value for that furniture and will recycle it back into the next customer’s hand for continued use.

For more information on SafeSourcing and how you can find even more ways to support the Recycling process or purchase from companies who excel in recycling, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week’s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Yesterday we started a series focusing on the Four R’s of Waste Control beginning with a focus on “Reduce” as the first R.  Today we will be looking at “Reuse” and how it can fit into the culture of your business.

Next to reducing your waste amount, reusing your waste is the next best thing for creating a “greener” world.  Reusing an item once its initial purpose has been fulfilled changes it to no longer being waste.

Practical examples of the “reuse” principle are found more frequently in a person’s home however there are still some great ways to incorporate the “reuse” principle into your business.

Printer cartridge and toner reuse – Many printer companies have programs in place to collect empty ink and toner cartridges and refill them at the factory readying them for resell.  This process reduces the number of plastic shells that need to be manufactured by the ink and toner companies, reducing waste.  Some companies are even able to buy ink kits that allow them to fill their own cartridges.

Pallet reuse – Wood and plastic pallet reuse has long been a practice employed by companies to help reduce waste and cost and today there are several programs in place to “pool” pallets that can be shared among many companies without having to incur the cost of using brand new pallets with every shipment.

Reusable transport totes – Like pallets more and more companies are moving toward plastic totes to transport goods within the organization instead of cardboard boxes.  The cost up front is slightly higher, but the savings is huge compared to the waste and cost of using cardboard boxes with only a few uses.

Suppliers that reuse – One of the biggest ways companies can support the “reuse” philosophy is by selecting to do business with and supporting organizations and vendors who are in a position to “reuse” on multimillion dollar scales of volume and economy.  These companies have developed processes and have access to the manufacturing process that allow them to reuse waste savings millions of dollars.  There are thousands of suppliers who have been certified through one organization or another for excelling in this area and can be included when sourcing products.

For more information on SafeSourcing and how we can assist your company with sourcing with companies that have a commitment to “Reusing” waste and/or have been certified as a leader in this area, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

We hope you have enjoyed this week’s series and look forward to and appreciate your comments.