The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) on Monday presented its 2021 Supply Chain Sustainability Award to Intel Corp. for a warranty returns program that cuts consumption of resources while optimizing spending. 

By adopting a circular economy approach and cross supply chain collaboration with internal and external partners, Intel is now sending less than 1% of returned products to landfills. The world's largest semiconductor manufacturer uses a three-prong strategy: 

• avoid unnecessary returns; 
• recover, reuse or resell returned products; and 
• recycle or reclaim non-recoverable products to avoid waste.

These tactics improve asset recovery, extend product life, and create new inventory and revenue streams. CSCMP announced the award at the EDGE 2021 Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Intel is also working to reduce the use of foam across reverse logistics packaging by 2025, the company said.

“Looking ahead, the Intel team is connecting the program throughout other parts of our supply chain as well as collaborating with external stakeholders on circular economy efforts, further delivering industry leadership and environmental advocacy,” said Tony Romero, vice president of global supply chain at Intel.