In addition to the need to always stay updated and innovate, industries also face the challenge of adapting to sustainability practices. That is where the term sustainable innovation comes from.
Using sustainable practices in industry is a latent necessity given the current global scenario, because with the scarcity of natural resources, this subject is increasingly on the agenda.
Several factors have led to the urgency of sustainability. Among them is the increase in everyday technologies that impact natural resources, such as means of transport.
Another major factor is the exorbitant increase in electronic waste disposal, which become obsolete and are replaced by newer versions more quickly. Faced with this new reality, society has gradually begun to realize the impact on the environment and thus started the search to reverse this situation.
In a survey by FT Focus conducted with more than 300 corporate leaders worldwide, 56% of respondents replied that they understand the importance of integrating sustainability principles into the development of their products and services.
To learn more about sustainable innovation, its importance, and its pillars, continue reading this article!
What is sustainable innovation?
By sustainable innovation, we can understand the concept of exploring new ideas and putting various sustainable actions into practice within the organization, generating new business models in accordance with ecological practices, and balancing the environment and the impacts caused.
The goal is to encourage companies to be more scalable, positively impacting society and the environment in which they live. But how to do this? Reducing waste, using less polluting materials, and using technology as an ally are examples.
For instance, with APS solutions for virtual planning, it is possible to simulate production even before putting it into practice, better calculating the use of the resources that will be needed and thus avoiding unnecessary waste.
Furthermore, one of the great challenges of sustainability is reducing the incidence of discarded items. According to a UN survey, 99% of the products we buy are thrown away within six months.
Knowing that Brazil is the 4th largest producer of plastic waste in the world, it is necessary to think of ways to alter products. Some companies have already replaced the use of disposable plastics with seed paper or biodegradable plastics.
What are the benefits of sustainable innovation?
Investing in sustainable innovation strategies guarantees many benefits, not only for the environment but also for the company’s profit and reputation. According to a survey, 85% of Brazilians feel better buying sustainable products.
Consumers expect environmental actions from brands and have increasingly made choices based on sustainable production processes. Therefore, by following a greener production chain, the company becomes more competitive.
In addition, practices linked to sustainability bring brand engagement, both from consumers and employees, who, being more engaged, tend to work with better productivity.
The three pillars of sustainable innovation
There are three pillars of sustainable innovation:
Social
The social pillar concerns the human capital involved with the company—whether employees, customers, partners, or any other person in the middle of the production process.
In the case of employees, workplace safety, physical and mental health, and well-being must be taken into account, just as the health of consumers must be safeguarded when enjoying the product or service produced by the company.
Environmental
The environmental pillar relates to projects, policies, and actions aimed at minimizing the impact caused by factory processes on nature.
Especially when the service/product exploits environmental resources, it needs to find ways to reverse the damage. Strategies of this type are called “green actions”.
Economic
The economic pillar of innovation comprises the institution’s ability to maintain its scalability while avoiding waste in nature. In other words, designing its processes intelligently, making profits, and distributing its products and services to the largest possible number of people.
Now you know the importance of sustainable innovation. Did you like the content? If you want to learn how to become a sustainable industry and the importance of technology in this regard, download our free ebook!
*Signed by: Aloisio Arbegaus, Commercial Director at Teclógica
