Refurbishment crucial part of circular supply chain
Refurbishment crucial part of circular supply chain
‘ Reduce , reuse , recycle ’ is a common saying when referring to waste reduction during the production cycle , but it could provide a solution to supply chain issues too .
Refurbished or reconditioned parts could replace new components when spare parts are hard to find .
These are not to be confused with repaired or second-hand parts , which refers to components whose refurbishing and testing process cannot be verified .
The use of refurbished parts can reduce lead times for manufacturers , prevent unnecessary downtime and keep machinery up and running just like new .
Refurbished parts also have the added benefit of quality assurance checks and warranties that usually match the equivalent of a new component , both in length and specification .
If manufacturers are to overcome the worst supply issues in nearly 50 years , reconditioned or refurbished parts can go a long way by contributing to the circular economy , maintaining efficiency and shortening lead times .
Up to 20 % of garments produced are never worn
Appel makes an important point , because in the past sustainability failed to gain significant traction because of cost . But now , the reputational cost of doing nothing far outweighs any financial burden , because stakeholders – particularly consumers and investors – vote with their wallets when it comes to unsustainable brands .
Appel says of this : “ Circular business models not only diversify product and service portfolios but positive customer engagement also serves as a brand booster .
“ In other words , while circularity makes products more sustainable , solutions that also deliver business benefits