Applying sustainable principles helps businesses improve their competitiveness.

According to experts, a sustainable supply chain not only helps companies grow in the long term but also contributes to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life of the community.

Applying sustainable principles to every step of the production process, from raw material supply, processing to distribution and recycling, is becoming a key factor for businesses to improve their competitiveness and meet increasing market demand.

According to Dr. Ha Thi Cam Van, Senior Lecturer of Economics, School of Business, RMIT University Vietnam, businesses that want to operate “greener” can consider simple measures in the workplace.

For example, placing recycling bins in strategic locations, adding notes near light switches to show how much CO2 emissions can be saved when the lights are turned off, or designing a room temperature control panel to prevent unnecessary use of air conditioning…

Dr. Ha Thi Cam Van also believes that small changes like the above, for Vietnamese small and medium enterprises, also bring double benefits. That is, reducing costs while contributing to environmental protection.

Large companies have even more potential, by investing in green technologies such as solar panels, modifying production processes and integrating sustainability into corporate culture.

Also on this issue, according to Mr. Bruce Delteil, CEO of strategic consulting firm McKinsey & Company Vietnam, businesses will achieve outstanding performance when they know how to harmonize 3 aspects: growth, profit and ESG.

However, according to experts, businesses also face many challenges in building a sustainable supply chain.

That is, investing in green technologies and applying clean and sustainable production processes is often more expensive than traditional methods.

Moreover, when building a sustainable supply chain, businesses need to cooperate with partners who share a commitment to environmental and social protection.

However, finding these partners can sometimes be difficult as not all suppliers adhere to sustainability standards.

According to experts, work quality can come from creating a safe and effective working environment.

In addition, raising awareness of sustainable development, building a "green" working environment and culture needs to be done synchronously by mobilizing and propagating from employees to business leaders...

For example, recently, in order to raise awareness and practice of occupational safety and hygiene, Nestlé Vietnam cooperated with the Vietnam Packaging Recycling Alliance (PRO Vietnam) to organize a Training Program on occupational safety and hygiene in waste collection and recycling activities for partner units.

Experts in the field of occupational safety and hygiene have said that building a safe, efficient and healthy working environment for workers can help improve work quality and reduce the risk of occupational accidents.

Mr. Khuat Quang Hung, Director of External Affairs and Communications, Nestlé Vietnam Company shared that raising awareness of hazards for collection and recycling units will contribute to protecting the rights and ensuring working conditions of workers.

Understanding this issue, Mr. Hung said that the Company has also had many specific initiatives and programs to pioneer ESG practices, including close cooperation with partners in efforts to build a waste-free future.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Gia Huy Chuong, CEO of PRO Vietnam, also stated that raising awareness and knowledge will support the creation of a sustainable recycling ecosystem in Vietnam.

From the above issues, experts believe that businesses need to be creative and flexible to build a green supply chain, contributing to building a future that not only develops economically but also protects the core values ​​of the environment and society.