Supply chain News and trends

Last week, a special rapporteur investigating the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining and a UN fact-finding mission on Venezuela presented separate reports to the council on the impact of gold mining on many communities and the environment, particularly in the Amazon basin.

UN investigators cited human rights abuses such as sexual exploitation of women and children, mercury poisoning and child labour affecting communities where illegal gold production occurs, and pointed the finger at the responsibility of countries buying the metal.

The reports said global buyers such as Switzerland – through which roughly two-thirds of global trade transits – need to ensure that human rights are respected throughout supply chains.

Via EcoVadis

Billions of tonnes of materials are used to produce goods and then thrown away. With consumption and inflation constantly on the rise, Switzerland could do more to transition to a circular economy. 

Produce, consume and throw away. Until now, this has been the linear model of economy dominating all developed countries, including Switzerland.  

Of the 100 billion tonnes of materials consumed in the world, only 9% are reused. In a circular economy more materials would be reintroduced into the supply chain, closing the 'circle of life' of the products we consume. This concept is based on the idea of creating value by repairing, reusing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible.   

Via EcoVadis