Learn how supply chain management (SCM) programs can teach you to apply sustainability principles and practices to your personal life and improve your eco-friendliness, social responsibility, and economic savvy.

Reuse product. Specially young minds. We buy clothes on each and every occasions. We have forgot to repeat clothes and accessories. Earlier in my mother time, they use to give us clothes two times in year : Birthday and Diwali. now i buy it on each and every occasion. For sustainable world, we must focus on sharing, using and repeating things with others to reduce carbon foot prints. Share vehicles trips, reuse paper, repeat clothes, use durable things which last.

How can SCM programs teach students to be sustainable in their personal lives?

Sustainability is not only a business goal, but also a lifestyle choice. If you are studying supply chain management (SCM), you can learn how to apply sustainable principles and practices to your personal life as well. In this article, you will discover how SCM programs can teach you to be more eco-friendly, socially responsible, and economically savvy in your everyday decisions.

1 Reduce your environmental impact

One of the core aspects of sustainability is minimizing the negative effects of human activities on the environment. SCM programs can teach you how to measure and reduce your carbon footprint, water consumption, waste generation, and energy use. You can learn how to choose products and services that have lower environmental impacts, such as organic, recycled, or renewable materials, or that use less packaging, transportation, or resources. You can also learn how to adopt habits that reduce your environmental impact, such as using public transportation, biking, or walking, or switching to LED bulbs, solar panels, or smart thermostats.

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Dr Hetall Dipen Vyas

Assistant Professor, Summer Internship Coordinator, Women development Cell coordinator at FoM| PhD in Financial Literacy
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Reuse product. Specially young minds. We buy clothes on each and every occasions. We have forgot to repeat clothes and accessories. Earlier in my mother time, they use to give us clothes two times in year : Birthday and Diwali. now i buy it on each and every occasion. For sustainable world, we must focus on sharing, using and repeating things with others to reduce carbon foot prints. Share vehicles trips, reuse paper, repeat clothes, use durable things which last.

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Derek Schroeder

Sustainable Packaging Consultant
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When I was in college, my friends and I decided to start a garden in our backyard. It started out as a small project but after 3 seasons we had enough produce to share with our neighbors, feed our backyard flock of chickens, and drastically reduce our grocery bills. Not only that, it inspired us to reconsider where our food came from even our chosen career paths

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Lorne Michael Cousins

Program Director, Principal
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SCM programs can use various methods and tools like case studies, simulations, games, projects, or field trips, to illustrate the impacts and implications of key sustainability issues on different supply chains, industries, and sectors. Workshops are a great way to introduce students to the application of theories, frameworks, and models of sustainable SCM, and how they can be applied to analyze and improve performance. This can extend to a more individual level. A well-developed program can also show people why buying local, organic, or fair-trade products, using public transportation, biking, or walking, or recycling, reusing, or repairing items, contributes to building resilience in their own personal lives.

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2 Improve your social well-being

Another dimension of sustainability is enhancing the quality of life for yourself and others. SCM programs can teach you how to evaluate and improve the social performance of your suppliers, customers, and stakeholders. You can learn how to identify and address issues such as human rights, labor standards, diversity, inclusion, health, safety, and community engagement. You can also learn how to apply these principles to your personal life, such as by volunteering, donating, or supporting causes that align with your values, or by building positive relationships with your family, friends, and neighbors.

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Derek Schroeder

Sustainable Packaging Consultant
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Being part of a community is one of the most important aspects of our social well-being. It's easier to meet people with common interests when you engage with the community in a meaningful way. This can also help develop your team if you, for example, volunteer to clean up a local park or beach with your coworkers

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3 Optimize your economic value

The third pillar of sustainability is creating and maintaining economic value for yourself and society. SCM programs can teach you how to optimize your financial performance and efficiency, while also considering the long-term impacts and trade-offs of your actions. You can learn how to analyze and manage your costs, revenues, risks, and opportunities, and how to balance them with your environmental and social goals. You can also learn how to apply these skills to your personal life, such as by budgeting, saving, investing, or spending wisely, or by pursuing career opportunities that match your interests and talents.

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Adrian Wons

Founder & CEO Senken | Expert in Carbon Markets and Corporate Sustainability | Driving Net-Zero Goals & Climate Action Investment
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When I studied Mechanical Engineering I started a 3D printer company that helped local stores produce their deco more sustainably since they didn't have to come from China. It unfortunately also showed me that it was hard for us to go a step further as back then there weren't any sustainable 3D printing materials just plastics. A great next step would have been to innovate along the lines of what materials the 3D printer can work with.

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4 Learn from best practices

One of the best ways to learn how to be sustainable in your personal life is to learn from the best practices of others. SCM programs can expose you to various case studies, examples, and models of sustainability in different industries, sectors, and regions. You can learn how leading companies and organizations implement sustainability strategies and initiatives, and what benefits and challenges they face. You can also learn how to benchmark and compare your own performance and progress with others, and how to identify areas for improvement and innovation.

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5 Develop your critical thinking

Another valuable skill that SCM programs can teach you is critical thinking. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from different sources and perspectives, and to apply it to solve problems and make decisions. Critical thinking can help you become more sustainable in your personal life, as it can help you question assumptions, challenge norms, seek evidence, and explore alternatives. Critical thinking can also help you cope with uncertainty, complexity, and change, and to adapt to different situations and contexts.

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Derek Schroeder

Sustainable Packaging Consultant
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SCM programs help you think in systems and this is such an impactful way to view the world. Even the most complex idea can be easily understood if you break it down into its elements and consider how they feed into each other. Reading suggestion: The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken

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6 Join a global community

Finally, SCM programs can teach you how to be part of a global community of sustainability practitioners and advocates. SCM programs can connect you with peers, mentors, experts, and leaders who share your passion and vision for sustainability. You can learn from their experiences, insights, and feedback, and also contribute to their learning and development. You can also network, collaborate, and partner with them on various projects, initiatives, and events that promote sustainability in your field and beyond. You can also leverage your SCM education to influence and inspire others to be more sustainable in their personal lives as well.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can SCM programs teach students to be sustainable in their personal lives?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reduce your environmental impact

2 Improve your social well-being

3 Optimize your economic value

4 Learn from best practices

5 Develop your critical thinking

6 Join a global community

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainability

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How can SCM programs teach students to be sustainable in their personal lives?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reduce your environmental impact

2 Improve your social well-being

3 Optimize your economic value

4 Learn from best practices

5 Develop your critical thinking

6 Join a global community

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sustainability

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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