sustainabilty group assignment
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Trios - Toronto *
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INTNEG
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Industrial Engineering
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Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by UltraHyenaMaster1000
1. Research a company that has successfully implemented the concept of life cycle assessment and as part of their operations management strategy for greater sustainability
.
Apple Inc. has implemented Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a key component of its sustainability strategy. LCA is a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to manufacturing, transportation, usage, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. Apple uses LCA to understand and reduce the environmental footprint of its products. They assess factors such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, resource use, and pollution at each stage of a product's life cycle. Apple Inc. conducts a Product Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Assessment to calculate carbon emissions using the 100-year time horizon global warming potentials from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. Over the past 20 years, LCA has evolved from an academic exercise to an accepted decision-making tool for sustainability management, adopted by companies including Apple to reap hidden benefits.
2. Analyze the company's method for making strategic operation decisions that incorporate sustainable practices in each of the areas of product design, production processes, logistics and end of life.
Product Design: Apple integrates sustainability into product design by creating more energy-
efficient and environmentally friendly products. For example, the design of MacBook Air with its unibody aluminum enclosure not only enhances durability but also reduces material waste. Moreover, the introduction of recycled materials in products like the iPhone demonstrates their commitment to sustainable design. Apple's design process is managed through multiple organizational components and officials, ensuring that their products excel in technological design. Their approach tackles product carbon emissions from three major sources: electricity, materials, and transportation.
Production Processes: Apple invests in renewable energy sources to power its manufacturing facilities. A significant portion of their manufacturing is powered by renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions. They also focus on energy efficiency in manufacturing to minimize resource use. Apple maximizes workforce capacity for product development and design and works with suppliers to ensure efficient processes and adequate capacity. They also strive for technological innovation in its facilities to optimize operating capacity and process efficiency.
Logistics: Apple optimizes transportation logistics to reduce emissions. They consolidate shipments, use more efficient transportation modes, and work to minimize the distance products travel from manufacturing sites to consumers. Apple's supply chain is among the most efficient and streamlined globally, with automation of processes and regular monitoring of suppliers. They also use a combination of automation and manual processes for scheduling activities in the supply chain and production processes.
End of Life: Apple promotes recycling and refurbishing of its products. The company offers trade-in programs, where customers can exchange their old devices for new ones, and old devices are refurbished and resold. Additionally, Apple designs products to be more easily
disassembled for recycling, which reduces electronic waste. Apple refurbished 10.4 million products in 2020 as part of their sustainability initiatives.
3. Explain how these practices are effective in achieving the company's sustainability objectives in each of the areas outlined in STEP 2.
- Apple has committed to becoming carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030. - Their initiatives, such as decarbonizing the global supply chain by 2030 and achieving a 100% renewable energy goal in 2018, highlight their commitment to sustainability.
- Apple's top 10 sustainable supply chains and their commitment to achieving a 100 percent closed-loop
supply chain are further examples of their sustainability objectives.
4. Highlight one of the practices that you believe brings the greatest benefits to sustainability and justify your response.
One practice that brings significant benefits to sustainability is Apple's focus on designing products for longevity and repairability. By making devices easier to disassemble and repair, they extend the lifespan of products and reduce the need for new manufacturing, which is resource-intensive and has a high environmental impact. This practice aligns with the principles of the circular economy, where products are reused and recycled, and it helps reduce electronic waste. Apple's commitment to this approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances customer satisfaction by ensuring that products remain functional for longer periods. This approach can serve as a model for other companies looking to achieve sustainability goals while meeting customer demands for high-quality products.
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