Sustainability at a social enterprise for customised work
Onder begeleiding van docenten Waldo Galle en Bieke Abelshausen gingen VUB-studenten Wietse De Braekeleer, Léa de Gobert, Oona Zaïde Fransen, Hafsa Senhadji Semlali, Patrick Van der Spiegel, Maarten Lander Vanhoegaerden en Celia Munguia een samenwerking aan met maatwerkbedrijf AMAB. Dit gebeurde in het kader van het instellingsbrede keuzevak Sustainability: an Interdisciplinary Approach, waarbij de studenten niet alleen via het onderwijs en interessante lezingen, maar ook met beide voeten in de praktijk, leren ze hoe duurzame verandering realiteit kan worden. De Wetenschapswinkel is een trotse partner van dit volwaardige CERL-vak, waarin theorie, praktijk en reflectie samenkomen. Studenten gaan in dialoog met academici én externe partnerorganisaties om zich samen te buigen over actuele vraagstukken rond duurzaamheid.
ABSTRACT: AMAB has different activities going on, but the one we decided to focus on with our research is their package deal with Colruyt. This re-packaging of products in another layer of plastic isn’t a sustainable step in the production process. It even goes against AMAB’s principle to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
This is where we come into play: how can this be changed into a more environmentally friendly process, whilst still being profitable? How can AMAB’s sustainable way of thinking be applied? This leads to our research question(s) below.
The issue with this activity in the current environmental crisis is that there is a war against plastic and its use. We need to find a way to make our participation in this activity more sustainable. Finding alternatives can create solutions to the polluting issues. Where can AMAB invest to have the same opportunities, if not better ones? Which alternatives exist and how can AMAB promote them to Colruyt? By looking at these interrogations, we can formulate our research question(s).
How can AMAB find (new) opportunities regarding the actual trend towards less packaging/less plastic which impacts the majority of their activity?
What is the trajectory of Colruyt regarding that trend? How can AMAB be the link for Colruyt towards their goal?
Can we find a more sustainable, cost-efficient way to package our clients’ (Colruyt) package deals? What are sustainable alternatives for plastic? If there are any, which material fits the criteria (sustainable and the least polluting, while still remaining efficient and practical) the best? Are these alternatives still as profitable for Colruyt? If not, can Colruyt compensate otherwise for this lack of profitability and how can AMAB help them to do so?