This week, I completed my training with TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes for my travel business. It was an inspiring experience, but what struck me most was a sudden realisation: the principles of sustainable travel and the principles of sustainable commercial supply are virtually identical.
Whether you are planning a holiday or managing a workplace supply chain, the core challenge remains the same: how do we get what we need while leaving the smallest possible footprint on our planet and supporting our local communities?
The Parallel Between Travel and Supply Chains:
In sustainable tourism, we talk constantly about "leaving no trace," reducing carbon miles, supporting local vendors, and keeping economic benefit within local communities.
When I look at Dorset Supplies, I see those exact same values at play every single day:
Carbon Footprint & Short Delivery Routes: Just as direct, eco-friendly transport reduces holiday emissions, keeping our supply routes local across Dorset cuts unnecessary delivery miles and vehicle emissions.
Eliminating Packaging Waste: In travel, single-use plastics are being phased out to protect beaches and oceans. For us, sourcing locally and using our returnable Heavy-Duty Crate System eliminates mountains of unnecessary cardboard packaging and plastic wrap.
Investing in Local Communities: I personally love using local suppliers. It keeps hard-earned income within our local economy, supporting the families and independent businesses right here on our doorstep.
Turning Competition into Collaboration & Circular Thinking:
One of the most rewarding aspects of our journey at Dorset Supplies has been redefining what competition and supplier relationships mean. In fact, some businesses in our area that might traditionally be viewed as our competitors are now actively working alongside us!
By joining forces, sharing resources, and supporting one another, both of our businesses benefit and so do our clients.
A great example of this is how we manage item deliveries: when we have excess wooden pallets we aren't using, we supply them directly to our clients and partner businesses so they can reuse them for their own outgoing deliveries. It’s a simple, practical win-win that keeps usable resources in circulation, cuts costs for everyone, and prevents perfectly good wood from ending up in landfill.
Adriana’s Approach: Smarter Sourcing, Fewer Parcels:
If you know me you’ll know that I am constantly scrutinising how and when we place orders. It isn't about buying less of what we need it's about buying smarter:
Consolidating Orders: Placing larger, well-planned orders so we reduce transport runs, cut down on constant deliveries, and eliminate piles of excess packaging waste.
Rationalising our Supply Chain: Selecting Suppliers, who can supply more than just one category, allowing us to place larger orders from one source.
Prioritising Local: Sourcing all those little everyday essentials from local Dorset businesses first, keeping delivery miles low and rubbish to an absolute minimum.
Of course, price always plays a vital role in running a business. But price alone shouldn't dictate how we buy. My focus on bulk planning and local sourcing and ongoing education about sustainability, and what sustainability actually means on a daily basis.
A Shared Mindset:
Completing the Sustainable Travel Heroes course reinforced something fundamental: sustainability isn’t just a department or a marketing buzzword. It’s a complete mindset that applies to every decision we make from the holidays we book to the cleaning products, paper goods, crate delivery systems, and reused pallets we choose for our workplaces.
Every conscious purchasing decision helps protect both our local Dorset community and the wider world.
Warm regards,
Adriana