Takeaways from RILA’s RSECC Conference
Originally posted 10/11/2016
The CRC team learned a lot at RILA’s 2016 Retail Sustainability and Environmental Compliance Conference (RSECC). Over three days, industry leaders covered the challenges retailers face in their efforts to comply with environmental regulations and grow more sustainably.
Below are some takeaways from RSECC that retailers should consider for their long-term sustainability and compliance strategies:
1. Using data to be more effective is not an option today — it’s a given
Data allows retailers to understand which areas in their business are at high-risk for noncompliance and to identify what is working and what is not. For instance, Walmart is capturing stormwater-related data to identify issues previously hidden by the ineffective paper approach. This saves money and allows them to proactively resolve issues before they turn into big problems. In another example, Valvoline is implementing an environmental management information system at their retail stores which helps them optimize EH&S performance and get big results with a small team. These examples show how data is increasingly critical for success.
Compliance doesn’t need to be a game of whack-a-mole. Data can be used to better understand compliance, identify effective solutions and implement better programs. That is why the CRC is working on the development of tools to help retailers design more effective programs and use data to evaluate and improve results.
2. Increasing recycling depends on infrastructure and good management
Increasing recycling depends to a large extent on having the infrastructure to store, pick up and process material. Without the infrastructure, it’s impossible to operate sustainably in a cost-effective manner. This is especially true in rural areas. Building infrastructure and identifying markets will be key to more sustainable operations and complying with the increasing number of requirements for recycling rather than disposal.
While most retailers have some level of recycling program, small issues can cause them to underperform and even fail. Loads of cardboard may be sent to the landfill because of something as simple as incorrectly sized containers or mismatched pickup schedules. One solution is to turn the hauler into an active partner by implementing a resource management contract. And conducting waste audits is never wasteful.
3. Prepare for the final frontier: food waste
Not very fun fact — 40 percent of food in the U.S. is thrown out and food now makes up 21% of municipal solid waste. Food production has a big environmental footprint and once in the landfill, food waste produces methane, which has 25 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Thus, reducing food waste is the key to long-term sustainability.
Source reduction and food donation are good first steps to reducing food waste. But retailers — especially grocers — should also keep an eye on compost regulations. In California and Massachusetts, for example, food composting is required for certain facilities.
There is help. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a voluntary Food Recovery Challenge that can help retailers prevent and divert wasted food.
These are just a few of the topics and challenges at the forefront for sustainability and compliance managers. The CRC offers additional background information, insights and tools to navigate these challenges.
