Have you ever stopped to think about the environmental impact of your brand? UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12 upholds Responsible Consumption and Production. But is it getting fulfilled? Every year on Earth Day, we take a moment to reflect on the state of our planet and recommit ourselves to building a more sustainable future. But year after year, the situation gets worse and today, there is an urgent need to tackle plastic pollution, a pervasive problem that threatens ecosystems and human health.
But what if the very products we consume held the key to a greener future? A way to meet your business goals, without compromising the environment’s? That's where the concept of product traceability comes in. The ability to track a product's journey from source to consumption is emerging as a powerful tool for promoting sustainability and environmental protection.
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Why Product Traceability Matters
Would you tell the story of your product to your dear customers? Imagine a world where you could trace the origins of your coffee beans, ensuring they were ethically sourced and grown with minimal environmental impact. Or picture a system that allows you to track a garment's journey, guaranteeing fair labour practices and eco-friendly production methods. This is the power of product traceability. Having a product traceability system empowers your business and consumers to fight counterfeiting in several ways:
- Verification: Consumers can verify the authenticity of a product using authentication tools where they can scan the QR label and trace the product's origin and its process empowering them to make informed choices and avoid counterfeits.
- Mapping the Supply Chain: Traceability solutions like Origin allow businesses to map their supply chains, identify potential weak points vulnerable to counterfeiting and implement stricter quality control measures.
What Role Does Product Traceability Play in Sustainability?
Traceability fosters a more responsible production and consumption cycle. It incentivizes businesses to adopt sustainable practices and empowers consumers to choose products that align with their values. This in turn creates a positive impact on the environment, putting a hold on the looming climate crisis.
1. Combating Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with millions of tons ending up in landfills and oceans each year. The fashion industry is responsible for over 8%-10% of carbon emissions globally. Traceability allows us to identify the sources of pollution and hold companies accountable for their production and disposal practices.
2. Promoting Responsible Sourcing:
Traceability sheds light on a product's supply chain, revealing its environmental and social footprint. This empowers consumers to choose products sourced responsibly and minimizes deforestation, water overuse, and unethical mining practices.
3. Accountability for Sustainability Claims
Companies often make eco-friendly claims, but traceability verifies these assertions. It allows consumers to identify genuine sustainability efforts from greenwashing tactics.
4. Promoting Circular Economy
Traceability facilitates the creation of a circular economy, where products are designed for reuse and recycling. Knowing a product's composition and history allows manufacturers to optimize recycling processes.
Learn how anti-counterfeiting solutions can solve climate change
Building a Traceable Future
However beneficial it may look, the change won’t happen overnight. Implementing effective product traceability requires a multi-pronged approach, involving:
- Product Traceability Solutions like Origin use Blockchain for a tamper-proof and transparent method for tracking products throughout their lifecycle. It allows for secure storage of information about each product's source, processing and transportation.
- Standardized labelling systems are crucial for easy consumer understanding. Implementing unique, non-cloneable label solutions strengthens the process of anti-counterfeiting. It also communicates the product's environmental and social impact journey.
- Collaboration between manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers is vital. All stakeholders need to participate actively in creating and maintaining robust traceability systems.
- Policymakers can play a key role by implementing regulations that promote and incentivize product traceability practices. European Union has taken the initiative to enforce stringent laws to protect the environment. EUDR regulation against deforestation, Digital Product Passport and Environmental conservation are a notable few.
Be Part of the Solution
Product traceability is not a magic bullet, but it is a powerful tool in the fight against counterfeiting and climate change. A change you can be part of too. Take a step towards a sustainable future by embracing traceability.
How? Start with these:
- Demand Transparency: Ask brands about their traceability practices. Look for companies willing to share information about their product's journey.
- Support Businesses with Sustainable Practices: Choose products from companies with strong environmental and social commitments.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Spread awareness about the importance of product traceability. Share credible sources that highlight its benefits for a healthier planet.
- Champion Technology for Good: Support companies that are utilizing technology like blockchain for transparent and sustainable practices.
The Benefits Extend Beyond Earth Day
Traceability isn't just a one-day solution; it's a long-term strategy for environmental protection. Over 63% of companies have implemented technologies to track their supply chain. This not only allows for protecting their products, but tracking and safeguarding the environment especially endangered species and sensitive ecosystems. Creating better quality control throughout the supply chain, ultimately leading to safer and more durable products for consumers and a healthy world for its dwellers.
Want to learn more about getting sustainable and safeguarding your product? Get in touch with us or book a demo today. Acviss has protected over 2 billion products globally and served 80+ brands scaling different industries and businesses. Join us to secure your standing in the market and amplify your brand and trust among your customers.
