Supply chain engagement ‘key’, says Boots

Speaking at SustainabilityLive! today (May 23) Boots head of corporate social responsibility Ian Blythe, warned that key materials are at risk of running out as materials consumption is going to increase, therefore putting increasing pressure on biodiversity and climate change – unless businesses do something about it.

He also said that the real question for brands today is how they are going to maintain and run a successful and sustainable business in the future, as materials costs and product demand increases in line with population growth.

He said: “A sustainable, circular economy will require better stewardship of natural materials, better transfer of information across the supply chain and engagement with customers.

“We need to continue to drive this and make the most sustainable option the most cost-effective.”

To tackle this challenge Boots has developed a new measure to help it assess its resources and is working with its supply chain to trace the product journey of its products in a bid to boost its transparency under a CSR governance system.

It is also working with its supply chain partners, said Mr Blythe as this is the only way it can drive sustainability across its operations.

However, he also noted that innovation is also going to be key, and as a result Boots is running a pilot initiative to grow algae to test how it can be used for replacement product ingredients.

Carys Matthews