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World Environment Day: Tackling Plastic from Supply Chain to Consumer
June 5th is World Environment Day, with the focus this year on reducing plastic pollution. Every minute, the equivalent of one rubbish truck’s worth of plastic ends up in our oceans. Plastic has become so deeply woven into our global economy and way of life that it’s now found everywhere, even in the most remote locations. A narrative has emerged urging individual consumers to reduce plastic use, yet it is abundantly clear that the largest contributors, and therefore the greatest opportunity for change, lies with businesses.
From product packaging to equipment shipping, business operations and supply chains play a major role in the world’s plastic problem. Often, the plastic we use is not visible to the end customer; it’s in the protective film around components, shrink wrap on pallets, cable ties, bubble wrap, or disposable PPE. It travels unseen through global supply chains, destined for landfill or incineration, sometimes after just a few minutes of use.
No Business is an Island
At North, we believe that addressing this societal issue starts with businesses taking a leadership role, not just by cutting our own plastic use, but by actively engaging the entire ecosystem we operate within. It’s not enough to simply “use less plastic.” We need to ask the questions about why plastic is used in the first place, and challenge ourselves, our suppliers, and our customers to find better alternatives.
The first step for a business aiming to decrease plastic pollution is to look “upstream.” That’s why we’re encouraging our suppliers to phase out single-use packaging, ready to offer guidance and share best practices. Businesses can engage their logistics partners and suppliers, finding common ground on sustainability priorities and operational efficiencies. Amending procurement policies to highlight organisational priorities on environmental issues, including plastic reduction, is a clear way to demonstrate to partners that this is an issue to collaborate and work on together.
But it’s not just about what comes in to your company, it’s about what goes out. Organisations must redesign how they package and deliver their own solutions, moving away from virgin plastics where possible, and trialling alternative, biodegradable solutions. Engaging customers on their requirements, and working on low-waste or packaging-free options for delivery also demonstrates to your downstream supply chain the importance your organisation places on this tenet of sustainability policies. These may seem like small steps, but when applied across thousands of deliveries each year, the impact quickly adds up.
On this World Environment Day, we’re reminded that change doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes bold, collaborative action to shift how industries and sectors think about materials, waste, and responsibility. Plastic pollution is a symptom of a broader system that prioritised convenience over consequence, short-term convenience over long-term sustainability. But that system can change, with businesses following the clear demand from consumers to create impact on this issue.
At North, we’re committed to being part of the solution. And we know we’re not alone. Across industries, there’s a growing movement of organisations stepping up to tackle plastic at the source. If we work together, from suppliers to customers, we can move from a throwaway culture to a more sustainable future.