Issues, challenges, and changes faced by purchasing professionals during the implementation of packaging solid waste reduction efforts

The modern environmental movement has gained the advantage of a global perspective and technological advancements to further address how environmental concerns impact corporations. The purchasing organization supports corporate solid waste reduction efforts by acting as a gate-keeper, working to reduce or avoid receiving packaging material that will ultimately enter the company's solid waste stream and provide insight into the reduction of outbound packaging material. The purpose of this research was to identify and analyze how the corporate purchasing function has changed as a result of corporate actions to reduce the solid waste stream.;The research encompassed the theoretical framework that "best practice" companies adapt to external forces. The design centered around understanding what the current "best practice" is and sought to determine the projected affect corporate solid waste reduction efforts would have on the purchasing function over the next three years. The research surveyed purchasing executives who are members of the National Association of Purchasing Management in the industries which are the top consumers of packaging material in the United States.;The research combined a mail survey with case studies. Seven case studies were conducted to examine the following situations: (1) Respondent company works with supplier to reduce incoming packaging material. (2) Respondent company reduces packaging material used internally through alternative packaging, reusable containers, and challenging the need for packaging. (3) Respondent company reduces the amount of outgoing packaging material used to meet the request of customers.;Potential Contributions of this Study include: (1) Solid waste policy development; (2) Understanding changes to the "buy" decision; (3) Changing roles and responsibilities of purchasing; (4) Changing relationships between customers and suppliers; (5) Lessons learned from successful industry practice.