Inbound Logistics | June 2026

Supply chain sustainability is no longer solely an environmental issue. “It is an operations and resilience priority,” says David Linich, sustainability partner with PwC. The steps that reduce emissions and resource use, such as redesigning products to require fewer inputs and optimizing logistics, can also help stabilize costs, reduce the impact of disruptions, and improve service. Two-thirds of supply chain leaders responding to a recent Blue Yonder survey indicate they’re actively working to reduce their supply chain’s environmental impact. Operational efciency, productivity, and faster decision-making are top priorities, and they all enable more sustainable operations, the survey notes. The following operational changes can help organizations build more sustainable and resilient supply chains.

1 Take A

2 Embed Sustainability in the Culture and Core Processes Culture is probably the most underestimated challenge to a durable sustainability focus, says Jeff Krajacic, managing director in the industrials practice of SSA & Co., a global management consultancy. If sustainability has never been a priority, making it one requires people to change behavior and sustain it under pressure. Some will question whether the commitment is genuine or a fad that will be dropped during the rst tough quarter. Cold chain solutions provider Americold’s sustainability performance is supported by the Americold Operating System (AOS), an enterprise-wide framework designed to drive disciplined, data-driven operational excellence.

Holistic Approach “Sustainability can’t be solved in isolation,” says Liz Minne, head of global sustainability with Interface, a ooring and sustainability company. Progress depends on collaboration across suppliers, customers, and partners to more quickly develop and adopt lower- carbon materials and circular solutions. Interface has invested in supplier engagement and accountability and collaborates with partners to identify and scale lower-carbon solutions. Among other steps, it has conducted carbon maturity assessments with the suppliers representing the majority of Interface’s Scope 3 emissions. Similarly, Interface helps educate customers about carbon (see box for more on carbon) . This often leads to an “aha” moment, which Interface hopes will prompt them to consider the impact of carbon across their own purchasing decisions, Minne says. Interface has seen enthusiasm from existing and prospective customers for lower carbon products, as well as for carbon-storing material innovation, she adds. Since 2019, Interface’s baseline year, the company has driven meaningful carbon reductions across its product categories, including carpet tile, luxury vinyl tile, and nora rubber, Minne says. This is due in large part to material and supply chain changes. Soorty, one of Pakistan’s largest denim manufacturers and exporters, is both global and vertically integrated, says Eda Dikmen, group general manager, marketing communications and

While the AOS extends beyond sustainability, it standardizes how

Americold manages energy intensity, refrigeration performance, maintenance optimization, waste minimization, and safety. The AOS both drives sustainability efforts and gets employees involved. “You have to have everybody along for the ride,” says Brian Dunn, senior vice president, facilities and engineering, and head of sustainability. Employee- led sustainability councils—one each in the United States, Europe, and APAC— discuss and evaluate emerging trends and regulations that could materially impact operations and sustainability goals. The councils also share energy and sustainability best practices.

branding with Soorty Enterprises. The Soorty Organic Cotton Initiative (SOCI) provides farmers reliable access to quality, non-GMO seed, which has been both scarce and expensive in this region. Water use by farmers in the program has fallen by between 18-28%, while prot margins have increased by one- third to one-half in veried cases. Vertical integration enables Soorty to control the seed, soil practice, and increasingly, the traceability of the cotton. Denim manufacturer Soorty’s Organic Cotton Initiative supplies farmers with quality, non- GMO seed that was once scarce and costly.

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