Addressing Plastic Pollution: Research on Sustainable Practices and Strategies in the Consumer Goods Industry Supply Chain

Authors

  • Lingyan Pang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/nw121w46

Keywords:

Sustainable Operations, Supply Chain Management, Plastic Pollution, Consumer Goods Industry, Innovative Packaging, Recycling Systems, Stakeholder Collaboration, Government Intervention, Sustainable Development.

Abstract

Research Background: The consumer goods industry faces a significant sustainability challenge due to the environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution, particularly from single-use plastics. This essay addresses the current situation and the difficulty in implementing sustainability commitments within the industry. Research Objectives: The essay aims to propose solutions for sustainable supply chain management that balance economic, social, and environmental concerns, and to extend these solutions to other industries. Research Methods: The essay identifies the main sustainability issues, analyzes the problems, and proposes solutions based on the sustainable supply chain concept. Data from literature and expert opinions are synthesized to support the arguments. Conclusion: The essay establishes that the use of innovative packaging design, material optimization, and improved recycling systems are crucial for mitigating plastic pollution. It also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder collaboration and government intervention. The proposed solutions are not only applicable to the consumer goods industry but can be generalized to other sectors, highlighting the need for a unified approach to achieve sustainable development.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Phelan, A. (Anya), Meissner, K., Humphrey, J., & Ross, H. (2022). Plastic pollution and packaging: Corporate commitments and actions from the food and beverage sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 331(331), 129827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129827

[2] Why corporate leadership on plastic pollution is sorely lacking | Greenbiz. (n.d.). Www.greenbiz.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://www.greenbiz.com/article/why-corporate-leadership-plastic-pollution-sorely-lacking#:~:text=More%20than%20200%20companies%20have

[3] Linton, J. D., Klassen, R., & Jayaraman, V. (2007). Sustainable supply chains: An introduction. Journal of Operations Management, 25(6), 1075–1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2007.01.012

[4] Carter, C. R., & Liane Easton, P. (2011). Sustainable supply chain management: evolution and future directions. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 41(1), 46–62. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600031111101420

[5] Markley, M. J., & Davis, L. (2007). Exploring future competitive advantage through sustainable supply chains. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 37(9), 763–774. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030710840859

[6] Unnikrishnan, S., Biggs, C., & Singh, N. (2020, August 7). Sustainability Matters Now More Than Ever for Consumer Companies. BCG Global. https://www.bcg.com/publications/2020/sustainability-matters-now-more-than-ever-for-consumer-companies

[7] Norman, W., & MacDonald, C. (2004). Getting to the Bottom of “Triple Bottom Line.” Business Ethics Quarterly, 14(02), 243–262. https://doi.org/10.5840/beq200414211

[8] Maloni, M. J., & Brown, M. E. (2006). Corporate Social Responsibility in the Supply Chain: An Application in the Food Industry. Journal of Business Ethics, 68(1), 35–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9038-0

[9] Brands neglect sustainable packaging | WARC. (n.d.). Www.warc.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023, from https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/news/brands-neglect-sustainable-packaging/en-gb/34248

[10] Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy – A new sustainability paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757–768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048

[11] Beaumont, N. J., Aanesen, M., Austen, M. C., Börger, T., Clark, J. R., Cole, M., Hooper, T., Lindeque, P. K., Pascoe, C., & Wyles, K. J. (2019). Global ecological, social and economic impacts of marine plastic. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 142(142), 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.022

[12] Markus, F., & Ramani, N. (2021). Biodegradable Plastic as Integral Part of the Solution to Plastic Waste Pollution of the Environment. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 30(100490), 100490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2021.100490

[13] The New Plastics Economy: Catalysing action. (n.d.). Ellenmacarthurfoundation.org. https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/the-new-plastics-economy-catalysing-action

Downloads

Published

2024-12-23

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Pang, L. (2024). Addressing Plastic Pollution: Research on Sustainable Practices and Strategies in the Consumer Goods Industry Supply Chain. Frontiers in Science and Engineering, 4(12), 24-29. https://doi.org/10.54691/nw121w46