Ingersoll Rand to capture supply chain environmental impact data

Effort aims to cooperate with suppliers to reduce company’s environmental impact.

-- Packaging Digest, 11/17/2009 5:20:14 PM

Ingersoll-Rand plc has launched a survey designed to capture data relating to the environmental impact of the company’s supply chain. The data will be used to assess the current state of key environmental factors across the company’s supply chain and to help suppliers reduce the environmental impact of their business practices as part of Ingersoll Rand’s long-term sustainability efforts.

The survey targets the company’s top 500 global suppliers, representing 80 percent of Ingersoll Rand’s direct material spend, and will collect data relating to the supply chain’s greenhouse gas emissions, nonhazardous waste production and water usage. In addition, the survey will ascertain suppliers’ targeted reductions for each area. Suppliers that currently do not have a program to measure their environmental impact will be asked to indicate their immediate-term plans for implementing their program.

"The supply chain survey is part of a larger Ingersoll Rand commitment to sustainable business practices and recognition that our environmental efforts are inextricably linked to our suppliers’ business practices," said Karen Leggio, vice president, global supply chain. "Our substantial global direct material spend significantly expands the impact and influence of our operations, and we intend to ensure that our business partners are equally committed to pursuing ongoing environmental improvements.

"Already we are working with suppliers to identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of our current product portfolio, replace disposable packaging with returnable packaging whenever possible, and optimize transportation routes to travel fewer shipping miles. With the data we collect from the survey, we will enable a more comprehensive approach to supply chain sustainability and continue to drive Ingersoll Rand’s progress in achieving its environmental goals."

In addition to the supply-chain environmental impact survey, and consistent with the principles of sustainable business practices, Ingersoll Rand is rolling out a Business Partner Code of Conduct for entities doing business with, for or on behalf of the company, including suppliers, dealers, distributors and contractors. The Code sets forth the company’s expectations regarding legal and ethical standards for Ingersoll Rand’s business partners around the world.

"Our business partners are an extension of Ingersoll Rand, whose actions reflect on our company," said Leggio. "As a result, we expect our business partners to operate according to the same high standards we have established for Ingersoll Rand employees across the globe."

SOURCE: Ingersoll Rand