79 Réseau Consignes in France

Team 101 Poster

Team Reflection

As part of our Aim2Flourish project, we chose to explore the business model and sustainability efforts of Réseau Consignes, a company that has dedicated itself to creating a local, circular economy by reusing glass containers. This project not only provided insights into how small businesses can foster environmental sustainability but also allowed us to experience the dynamics of cross-cultural teamwork. By reflecting on the role of businesses for social good, we could examine our assumptions and expectations of how companies should contribute to society. Through this reflection, we aim to share our collective understanding and learning from the project, utilizing the “What, So What, Now What” framework to structure our insights. Réseau Consignes stood out to us as a prime example of how a small business can address critical environmental challenges through innovation and commitment to sustainable practices. The company’s model, based on the reuse of glass containers, promotes waste reduction and fosters a network of collaboration between local producers. Through our interview with Hervé Le Pezennec, we learned about the company’s journey, its struggles with the recycling lobby, and the positive impact of its initiatives on the environment and community. Our initial reactions were ones of admiration and curiosity. The simplicity and effectiveness of Réseau Consignes’ approach resonated with us, especially as it demonstrated how businesses, regardless of size, could advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, Rafael was particularly inspired by the company’s commitment to reducing waste and supporting a circular economy, which he believes could be a model for public sector organizations. Similarly, Elouann appreciated the collaborative spirit within the company, which mirrored the teamwork within our own group. Marcus found the experience unique, noting the difference between typical online interactions and the more personal engagement we experienced through our project. For Théo, the project served as an eye-opener to the challenges and opportunities in cross-cultural teamwork, while William overcame initial concerns about language barriers and felt empowered by the collaborative environment. Our exploration of Réseau Consignes highlighted the broader implications of sustainability and the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit. This project underscored the importance of balancing economic success with environmental responsibility and social impact, themes that are central to our academic learning. Working with Réseau Consignes reinforced our knowledge about sustainable business practices and challenged us to think more critically about corporate accountability.

In terms of academic connections, this project allowed us to apply theories we’ve encountered in our courses. For instance, the triple bottom line framework became more tangible as we witnessed how Réseau Consignes manages to maintain profitability while actively contributing to environmental sustainability. Our coursework on sustainability and corporate responsibility was mirrored in Réseau Consignes’ actions, reinforcing our understanding and highlighting areas for further inquiry. We questioned how businesses of different sizes and resources could adopt similar practices and discussed the challenges of scaling such models in larger corporations.

The cross-cultural nature of our team also enriched the project. The diversity within our group offered a range of perspectives that enriched our understanding of sustainability and teamwork. Initially, we faced logistical challenges due to time zone differences and varied communication styles. However, by using WhatsApp for quick updates and polls, we created a flexible and responsive communication system that allowed us to adapt to each member’s schedule. Rafael’s role as the organizer helped us stay on track, while each member brought their unique strengths to the table—Elouann’s collaborative spirit, Marcus’s attention to detail, Théo’s network, and William’s creativity. These diverse contributions allowed us to achieve a well-rounded outcome. The project also challenged some of our preconceptions. We expected businesses, especially those focused on sustainability, to face minimal opposition, but Réseau Consignes’ experience with the recycling lobby revealed the complexities involved in promoting sustainable initiatives. This opened our eyes to the reality that even businesses with a positive mission must navigate obstacles and advocate for systemic changes. Our learning extended beyond academic theories, providing real-world insights into the challenges of implementing sustainability. Looking forward, this project has inspired us to integrate the lessons we learned into our future careers. As emerging professionals, we recognize the significance of sustainability and social responsibility, and we are motivated to champion these values in our respective fields. This experience has shown us that regardless of our professional paths, we can advocate for environmental and social good through our actions and decisions. For Rafael, the project reinforced the value of organized leadership and inclusive teamwork. He intends to bring these skills into his work in the public sector, where he believes sustainable practices are crucial for long-term societal benefits. Elouann felt that the project highlighted the power of cultural exchange and teamwork, inspiring her to foster inclusivity in her future projects. Marcus plans to continue working with a global mindset, valuing adaptability and using technology to connect across borders. Théo, initially apprehensive about the challenges of cross-cultural collaboration, now feels more confident in his ability to work effectively with diverse teams. Lastly, William, despite initial time zone challenges, learned the importance of communication and adaptability, skills he is eager to apply in future projects. This project also reminded us of the importance of continuous learning. We are committed to staying informed about sustainable practices and corporate responsibility, knowing that these concepts will only become more critical as we advance in our careers. By building on the insights we gained from Réseau Consignes and the collaborative experience within our team, we are better prepared to contribute to a positive impact in the business world. In conclusion, the Aim2Flourish project with Réseau Consignes allowed us to experience the profound role that businesses can play in promoting social good. Through this reflection, we acknowledged the challenges and successes of implementing sustainable practices and recognized the value of cross-cultural collaboration. This project has not only expanded our academic understanding but has also equipped us with practical insights that we can carry forward into our careers. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated and talented individuals, all united by a shared commitment to sustainability.

Individual Reflections

Elouann Daniel

Working on this group project alongside Rafael, Theo, William, and Marcus has been a highly rewarding experience. Collaborating with such dedicated teammates has truly made the process enjoyable and fulfilling. From the beginning, we all came together with a shared sense of purpose and commitment to our goal of creating a poster and conducting an interview about the chosen company (Réseau Consignes), and each person’s contributions were essential to our progress.

One of the more challenging aspects was navigating communication and cultural differences, as we each brought unique perspectives and working styles. However, these differences turned out to be one of our group’s greatest strengths. Through open conversations and active listening, we were able to understand each other’s viewpoints and learn from each other. It required patience and adaptability, but these qualities helped us communicate more effectively and enrich the overall quality of our work. Our diversity made the project more creative and well-rounded, with each member bringing ideas to the table that others might not have considered.

Everyone’s effort in the team was noticeable, and I feel genuinely appreciative of the hard work and enthusiasm each person put into this project. Rafael’s analytical and organizational skills, Theo’s network and efficiency, William’s creativity, and Marcus’s eye for detail were invaluable. I’m proud of the way we supported one another, whether through brainstorming sessions planned every Thursday, sharing constructive feedback, or helping solve problems when they arose. Working with this group made me appreciate the value of teamwork even more, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such respectful, talented, and hardworking people.

I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Hervé LePezennec for agreeing to the interview and for providing such clear, insightful answers. His willingness to participate added depth to our project and allowed us to better understand the company’s perspectives and goals. Overall, this experience has shown me the power of collaboration and diversity, and I look forward to applying these lessons to future projects.

Rafael José Levita de Almeida

When Théo suggested working with Réseau Consignes, I didn’t expect to get so involved. However, after watching the interview with Hervé Le Pezennec, I was fascinated by the impact of this innovation. The reuse of glass packaging and the promotion of a local circular economy seemed like powerful approaches worth replicating globally. This experience reinforced my understanding of sustainable practices and the role of small initiatives in building global solutions. Working in a multicultural team initially seemed challenging, but the interaction exceeded my expectations. Everyone worked with dedication and respect, united by the goal of sharing the story of Réseau Consignes and inspiring others. One of the main challenges was finding times for everyone to meet, but we used WhatsApp to bridge communication gaps and stay updated, showing our flexibility and commitment. Seeing a company like Réseau Consignes prioritizing sustainability was inspiring. Many companies still lack similar initiatives, despite the growing importance of ESG. I believe that all organizations need to focus on sustainable practices to ensure the longevity of natural resources. I aim to intensify this focus in my work in the public sector. During the project, I took on a leadership role, organizing tasks and following up on deliveries, but teamwork was essential. Each member contributed within their means, and even those with less availability played a role in our success. This balance between leading and recognizing others’ efforts was a valuable lesson. Overall, this experience was an opportunity to learn about innovative business practices, reflect on my role as a professional, and contribute to a collective effort. I am determined to apply these learnings to my career, especially in the public sector, where I see great potential for promoting sustainability.

Théo Menissier

Before starting this Aim2Flourish project, I was quite skeptical about our ability to work effectively as a team, given the time zone differences and cultural diversity. However, this project turned out to be one of the best group experiences I’ve had. I found it very exciting to collaborate with people from different parts of the world, and these cultural differences did not end up posing any difficulties. On the contrary, they enriched our collaboration. We quickly found a common time slot for our weekly meetings, which made organization and communication much easier. This was largely thanks to Rafael, who guided us throughout the project with commitment and enthusiasm. He ensured that everyone had the necessary information, explained our tasks clearly, and his positivity motivated the entire team. His involvement was essential to the project’s smooth progression, and it inspired me to give my best. I am also grateful that we chose to work on Réseau Consigne, the company I found. The theme of reusing containers and promoting a network of local producers was very interesting to me. The interview we conducted allowed me to understand more about the impact of such initiatives on sustainability, as well as the obstacles they face, particularly from recycling lobby pressures. Overall, this team experience, rich in learning opportunities, exceeded my expectations and showed me the strength and synergy a well-organized team can bring.

William Cronin

When I first heard about the COIL group project involving Aim2Flourish, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it would be challenging to work with a group whose members were from different parts of the world. However, it ended up going much better than I had anticipated. The project got off to a strong start when we created a WhatsApp group chat to keep in contact. Through WhatsApp, we shared our schedules and decided on the best times to meet. From the beginning, Rafael took on a leadership role, organizing meetings, helping them run smoothly, and ensuring everyone understood the next steps. His guidance helped keep our group on track, complete our work, and meet deadlines. The biggest challenge for me was the time difference. Initially, I didn’t account for it correctly and thought our first meeting was scheduled for 4:00 p.m., when it was actually at 7:00 a.m. Although I was able to attend the second meeting, I missed the third due to a missed alarm and couldn’t make the fourth because I was helping my sister, who had a concussion the night before. Théo’s choice of Réseau Consignes as our company was excellent. Although the company was French, which would have made interviewing challenging for me, two of our group members spoke French and were able to conduct the interview. Overall, this project was a very enjoyable experience, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well our group was able to collaborate.