Managment and improvement of processes: topics, actions and applications: Chapter 5. The perspective of sustainability in the suply chain management

Nowadays, incorporating sustainability into business represents a strategy to meet external regulations, make profits and protect the economy, the environmental and resources for future generations. Taking this into consideration, the idea of getting sustainable supply chains, gains relevance. This means that the environmental impacts of each phase, has to be considered, and measures for the reduction and / or elimination of these impacts have to be incorporated. The purpose of this article is to show how sustainability can be introduced in supply chain management, by taking into account the environmental aspects of a product throughout its life cycle. An apple supply chain is used as example. The method consisted of compiling information relative to the topic of environmental improvement of supply chains, selecting a case study, applying the eco- indicator in the current scenario, identifying improvements and assessing eco indicators in the proposed scenario, and finally, contrasting the results of each scenario. After evaluating the current scenario in the chosen chain. Was obtained, with the highest- impact elements being the materials used in the containers and three specific sites in the supply chain. Among several improvements’options, the usage of cardboard packaging versus a returnable plastic one was chosen. Overall, a 4.532% reduction in the impacts on the proposed scenario was achieved. In conclusion, by considering the environmental aspects of the product throughout its life cycle, a low impact solution in accordance with the principles of industrial ecology was proposed, thus contributing to a green supply chain.