Accenture’s Blockchain App Lets Users Tip ‘Sustainable’ Producers

Accenture has just revealed a prototype blockchain-powered supply chain app. It is reportedly designed specifically for rewarding business practices that help in conserving natural resources.

The Circular Supply Chain

According to the announcement made by the consulting firm, it is currently working alongside Mastercard, Everledger (a blockchain firm), and Mercy Corps (a humanitarian aid organization). The joint workmanship is to encourage the introduction of what is believed to be the circular supply chain.

The said chain is basically a means to organize production, enabling materials to be recycled as much as possible. What is interesting about it is it discards goods captured and, more importantly, re-uses materials and/or components.

Accenture wants its app to allow consumers to have the ability to easily track the provenance of the goods that they are purchasing. The app is also expected to determine whether a producer has the much-needed certification for sustainable practices. Consumers are also enabled to use the app in an attempt to send tips, which will work as rewards, for responsible producers.

This reward, on the other hand, can be sent in a form of a blockchain-based token. If not, it can be a fiat transfer powered solely by Mastercard payment rails. This was further explained by David Treat, the global blockchain lead at Accenture.

All For the Sake Of Consumers

Treat added that the company is looking to enroll small companies across the globe and give them the ability to register their own certificates pertaining to ecologically conscious practices. All of these, according to the executive, will be placed on a blockchain and become a part of a digital identity. From there, consumers will have the ability to see and determine who produced the goods they are purchasing and how exactly the business is being managed.

The company is also working hand in hand with farmers’ associated located in South America and Africa, which it hopes to join in this global initiative. The associations, on the other hand, will be in charge of the maintenance of cloud-based nodes on behalf of their respective farmers.

Mercy Corps is planning to contribute its experience working directly with farmers’ communities across the world to the project. A senior advisor to the Technology for Development team at the NGO named Ric Shreves said they are exploring potential agricultural programs in their current program portfolio in order to pilot the circular supply chain.

Shreves added that it is ideal for boutique consumer goods. This could include the likes of a single origin coffee instead of the conventional bulk goods.