Continuity in the future, in the environment
The term environmental sustainability is widely known, with its scope and renown extending worldwide. When we talk about environmental sustainability, we refer to the social, economic, and environmental balance that, as far as possible, guarantees continuity in the future. Advantages of Environmental Sustainability: Among the main advantages, we can mention: At GDI, we care about the environment, which is why we take action to support sustainable development. In our facilities, we use energy-saving LED lights to minimize energy consumption, we separate waste into the appropriate containers, and we provide corporate transportation for employees, thus reducing the use of various modes of transport and minimizing pollution. Let's take care of the environment and be more conscious of our actions; little by little, they can generate a great change.
An effective business continuity plan
The COVID-19 outbreak forced business leaders and owners to make short-term decisions to ensure the continuity of their operations; however, these measures had to be modified due to the extended quarantine. Given such significant contingencies, it is crucial that organizations identify the areas of the business that could be most affected and, based on this, develop an effective business continuity plan to help maintain normal operations in three key areas: The first stage involves having a business continuity plan in place, which allows for an understanding of the main risks to operations and the supply chain. Based on this understanding, it will be possible to allocate sufficient teams to address the crisis and then focus on supply chain assessment and risk management. The second stage is essential to determine whether management and corporate governance can make key decisions quickly enough, planning for financial and business scenarios that range from a swift recovery from this situation to a slowdown in growth or a possible global recession. In the short term, risk mitigation actions must be considered for operations and the supply chain, assessing the impact on transportation. In this regard, organizations must ensure communication with their customers and key stakeholders, review and evaluate the impact of talent planning and management, and review potential impacts depending on the sector in which they operate. Finally, in a third stage, it will be necessary to continue building an agile global supply chain with full visibility of all its links, as well as understand and implement digital and process automation to mitigate the consequences of potential disruptions that, as we have seen, can affect companies due to external factors, developing and implementing enhanced risk management practices. At GDI, we had to adapt and create strategies to continue our work and garment production. We implemented improved strategies and communication with our customers and suppliers to establish raw material receiving times and realistic delivery times. We always considered the situation and daily changes to avoid jeopardizing operations and experiencing a downturn. At GDI we are constantly seeking better strategies to determine what actions to take in future situations.
Water in our everyday goods and services
Water is one of the most prevalent natural resources in the production and consumption of our everyday goods and services, but do we know how much we use in each process? The water footprint is an environmental indicator that defines the total volume of freshwater used to produce the goods and services we routinely consume. It is a necessary variable that tells us how much water it costs to manufacture a product. The water footprint is measured in units of volume (liters or cubic meters) per unit of product manufactured or service consumed. TYPES OF WATER FOOTPRINT The water footprint is composed of three elements depending on the water's origin: HOW IS THE WATER FOOTPRINT MEASURED? A country's water footprint is determined by four factors: The Water Footprint makes us aware of the water consumption we need in all our activities. It provides us with a benchmark for our water use and, above all, helps us assess where we can improve as an organization. It serves as a starting point for establishing efficient water management and setting objectives. As an organization, GDI seeks to promote recycling, reuse, and eco-friendly consumption within our facilities, as this allows us to reduce our water footprint. We are exploring the digitization of various materials to reduce paper usage and are implementing technology to help us reduce waste and minimize certain types of pollution. We will gradually implement various activities to establish an environmental quality system.
A correct way to consume goods and services
Sustainable consumption is a way of consuming goods and services to meet our basic needs, contributing to a better quality of life, while reducing the consumption of natural resources and toxic materials, and decreasing waste and pollutant emissions throughout the product or service's life cycle. All of this is aimed at not compromising the future of the next generations. Every day, at every moment, we make some kind of purchase, whether large or small. Sometimes it's in response to a basic, fundamental need, and on many other occasions, to a desire or whim. We are always immersed in constant commercial exchanges, yet we almost never stop to think about the implications of this daily action. And the fact is, buying has environmental and social consequences. By acquiring a certain good or service, we can be promoting an important environmental action or participating in a social inclusion initiative that benefits vulnerable sectors of the population. This is precisely what sustainable consumption is about: acquiring products or services that take the following into account. In other words, sustainable consumption encompasses the three pillars of sustainable development. The COVID-19 pandemic has offered countries the opportunity to develop recovery plans that reverse current trends and shift our consumption and production patterns toward a more sustainable future. Sustainable consumption and production mean doing more and better with less. It also involves decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, increasing resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable lifestyles. It can also contribute substantially to poverty alleviation and the transition to green, low-carbon economies. At GDI, we strive for responsible and sustainable consumption, considering our planet and the future. We aim to produce minimal waste; for example, in the production of our products, we use a cutter that makes more precise cuts, thus generating less fabric waste. We strive to make our products environmentally friendly, so that when our customers use them, they know they're helping to improve the planet. That's why we include sustainable clothing items (vests, pants, and face masks) in our product line. Consume responsibly and think about the future.