Bring your own

A super shop called Unpackaged opened up nearby, last week. The idea is so simple: bring your own packaging.

“We believe that most packaging is unnecessary so we’re doing something about it.

The result is Unpackaged- the new way for you to shop safe in the knowledge that you’ve not created any waste that’s going to end up in a landfill.

We want you to bring your own containers for us to fill up with your favourite things and we’ll make it cheaper if you do. We know that it isn’t always easy to remember so we can also offer reusable containers that you can bring back next time.

Choose from our range of organic wholefoods (e.g. rice, cereals & grains) and eco-cleaners, where everything is as good for you as it is for the environment”

They even provide a service called Plastic Surgery - you can take your old plastic bags to them and they will recycle them!

This is a super idea in looking at the value chain, and asking "how do we give consumers responsibility and get them to contribute?"

Your typical value chain consists of:

- Inbound logistics
- Operations
- Outbound logistics
- Marketing and sales
- Service

How about empowering and involving consumers in other areas, too? For example:

- Marketing and sales: An Online website and word of mouth are the most carbon efficient form of comms. How do we empower consumers and make them the nucleus of our green advertising plans? Check this book out for starters.

Do you have any ideas for other areas of the value chain?