Raw materials are essential for many industries, but they also pose environmental and social challenges. How can you ensure that your raw materials are sourced, used, and recycled responsibly and efficiently? In this article, you will learn some best practices for communicating and collaborating with your raw materials suppliers and recyclers.
The first step is to understand your raw materials needs and impacts. You need to know what types, quantities, and qualities of raw materials you require for your products or services, and how they affect your costs, quality, and sustainability. You also need to assess the environmental and social impacts of your raw materials, such as their carbon footprint, water consumption, waste generation, and human rights risks. This will help you identify opportunities for reducing, reusing, and recycling your raw materials, and for choosing more sustainable and ethical sources.
Most recyclers concern about the cost and qualities. They do based on what they did in past so we have to give them new insight to help them out from the old paradigm and found out better ways to help them reducing the cost and improve their product qualities.
The second step is to establish clear and transparent criteria and standards for your raw materials suppliers and recyclers. You need to define your expectations and requirements for the raw materials you purchase or recycle, such as their specifications, certifications, traceability, and compliance. You also need to communicate these criteria and standards to your suppliers and recyclers, and ensure that they are aligned with your values, goals, and policies. You can use tools such as codes of conduct, contracts, audits, and scorecards to monitor and evaluate their performance.
The third step is to build long-term and trust-based relationships with your raw materials suppliers and recyclers. You need to engage with them regularly and proactively, and share information, feedback, and best practices. You also need to collaborate with them on solving problems, improving processes, and innovating solutions. You can use platforms such as online portals, meetings, workshops, and forums to facilitate communication and collaboration. You can also recognize and reward their achievements, and support their capacity building and development.
The fourth step is to leverage technology and data to enhance your communication and collaboration with your raw materials suppliers and recyclers. You need to use digital tools and systems that enable you to track, measure, and analyze your raw materials flows, costs, quality, and impacts. You also need to share this data with your suppliers and recyclers, and use it to identify gaps, opportunities, and trends. You can use technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and cloud computing to improve your transparency, efficiency, and innovation.
The fifth step is to join networks and initiatives that promote communication and collaboration among raw materials stakeholders. You need to connect with other businesses, organizations, and experts that share your vision and values for raw materials sustainability and circularity. You also need to participate in activities and events that foster learning, exchange, and advocacy. You can join networks and initiatives such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative, the Circular Economy 100, the Global Reporting Initiative, and the Raw Materials Week.
The sixth step is to seek continuous improvement in your communication and collaboration with your raw materials suppliers and recyclers. You need to review and update your criteria and standards, and your tools and technologies, to reflect the changing needs and expectations of your customers, stakeholders, and regulators. You also need to solicit and act on feedback from your suppliers and recyclers, and from your internal and external auditors. You can use frameworks such as the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, the ISO 14001 standard, and the Sustainable Development Goals to guide your improvement efforts.
Working on saving costs projects to keep long term relationships. Invite suppliers to visit facilities and working together on improvements ideas
Continuous improvement should also include innovating the basics of how you transact. Perhaps there are win win approaches beyond purchase / sale (such as shared risk term contracts) and these create deeper relationships