S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
The novel coronavirus pandemic has highlighted how vulnerable our businesses are to disruptions in logistics and supply chains. Gavin Heron* believes our new, adaptive business strategies need to address how we can shor ten the supply chain.
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ore resilient supply and service systems are now essential to keep our businesses functioning. But what does resilience actually mean? A good definition is: “the ability of a system to withstand changes in its environment and still function”. Here, “system” can be replaced by business, people, services, mental state and even families. Resilience doesn’t just happen – it needs to be built into systems. Resilient systems come from good planning and are more than a risk management strategy.
Is your waste system resilient? While resilient strategies are usually developed post facto, the pandemic has highlighted that we need to develop resilient strategies to avoid running off-the-cuff crisis management interventions, which may lead to larger problems. Running rigorous ‘if that, then this’ planning sessions will enable any organisation to build resilient organisation strategies. But resilience does not mean immunity; repeated challenges and attacks can lead to the total collapse of any system.
Resilience in waste One area that needs resilience is waste. China closing its borders to recyclable waste imports had a massive impact on the global waste industry. More recently, Covid-19 has impacted waste service both locally and abroad.
The problem with food waste is that it can quickly become a disease vector. So, how will food waste be properly managed if waste services become seriously degraded by Covid-19 infections? During these times, everyone – business, individuals and municipalities – needs to consider strategies to improve resilience. The waste system is vitally important. On-site business or domestic food waste composting will help to build resilience into the waste management system while reducing stress on municipal resources.
*Gavin Heron is the director of Earth Probiotic Recycling Solutions.
