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 # What Does a Sustainable Supplier Look Like? Ask IBM and Wal-Mart

 

##### Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company

 

 

 Jul 1, 2010 3:33 PM ET

 [Taiga Company Blog](http://blog.taigacompany.com/blog/taiga-company/0/0/what-does-a-sustainable-supplier-look-like-ask-ibm-and-wal-mart)

In today’s global business environment, it is rare for a company to own an entire product or service value chain. Business operations rely heavily on external sources exposing the supply chain as a [critical](http://blog.taigacompany.com/blog/taiga-company/0/0/raising-the-bar-on-supply-chain-management) component of business success. Leading organizations are using the procurement function as a means to move towards a more sustainable business by forming "[strategic](http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/09/11/survival-tips-walmart-suppliers-beware-top-10-sustainability-myths) relationships" with companies, large and small, who demonstrate leadership.

Case in point, [I.B.M](http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/international_business_machines/index.html?inline=nyt-org). said on Wednesday that it will [require its 28,000 suppliers](http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/ibm-will-require-suppliers-to-track-environmental-data/) in more than 90 countries to install management systems to gather data on their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste and recycling. Those companies in turn must ask their subcontractors to do the same if their products or services end up as a significant part of I.B.M.’s $40 billion global supply chain. [Click here to continue reading](http://blog.taigacompany.com/blog/taiga-company/0/0/what-does-a-sustainable-supplier-look-like-ask-ibm-and-wal-mart). 

*Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world.* [*Taiga Company*](http://taigacompany.com/) *seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".*

 TAIGA7677



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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