Innovation of the Week – French Scientists find a probable way to confirm the ethical sourcing of Lithium

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Once upon a time, EVs were undisputedly labeled as the “greener, cleaner” alternative to fossil fuel-based vehicles. However, it was quickly discovered that they, too, have ethical and environmental concerns even if they keep the power generation aside. All of these reservations were ultimately focused on Lithium, a soft metal that is silver-white in color and used in batteries as the main component.

Hundreds of reports citing unethical mining practices in Lithium mines have surfaced every year since EVs started to become mainstream. These reports pointed toward the misuse of natural resources in the surroundings, like freshwater, harsh working conditions for miners, child labor, and the annihilation of local biodiversity and ecosystems. Naturally, lithium-based battery product manufacturers faced the irk of the consumers as they called the producers to confirm the ‘ethical’ sourcing of Lithium. Also, this raised concerns over Lithium’s use in other battery-powered devices such as our smartphones and laptops.

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Despite the widespread demand for ensuring ‘ethical’ Lithium sourcing, there was no scientific process to testify the same, and consumers had to depend on the companies’ statements. The good news is that it is all set to change as a group of researchers based out in France have successfully invented a method to trace Lithium sources. The team hails from different French research institutions including  BRGM, EDF Lab Renardières, and Université Grenoble-Alpes. 

The conventional method to trace Lithium relied on databases and paperwork, but it wasn’t foolproof. The French scientists studied the samples from different Lithium mines and made an important observation: The Lithium sourced from every site has a specific ratio of two stable isotopes—lithium-6 and -7. 

As far as the Lithium samples collected by the team were concerned, they had distinct isotopic ratios, which can be used as the basis for sourcing signatures. However, the team suggested that wider research must be carried out to confirm that this observation stands true for samples of most Lithium mines, if not all. This can be a challenging exercise since governments in many countries might object to scientific investigation.

If these findings stand true to future scrutinies, we can achieve a significant improvement in Lithium-based products’ sustainability. Also, this will help limit climate change and negative impact on local communities and ecosystems, as well as ensure food security in the developing economies having Lithium ore.
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Innovation of the Week – French Scientists find a probable way to confirm the ethical sourcing of Lithium

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With ecommerce growth, it’s very common to hear people saying, “Dropshipping is super easy, you start with $0 investment, place the order to the supplier only after receiving money from the customer. No risk of losing money.” Sounds too good to be true, right?

The grass always looks greener on the other side. Dropshipping may not require you to invest any money upfront, but it does come with a set of challenges, like managing returns.

In this article, we will discuss such roadblocks that hinder the growth of your ecommerce business and some actionable steps to overcome such challenges.

#1 Managing Returns

Returns can cost your business. There has been a rise in the millennial shopping trend whereby they purchase multiple items with the intention to keep only a single item and return the rest. Now that Amazon has popularized free returns, customers have started taking returns for granted. Such policies may add convenience for the buyers but can prove catastrophic for the sellers. As an ecommerce business owner, you need to have a robust return management system to tackle such instances. Here are some strategies you can use:
  • Blacklist customers that repeatedly misuse your return policy
  • Include a variety of images (videos too if possible) to show the product from different angles. You can also add “zoom in” to the pictures to show the different textures and designs. This familiarizes the customers with the product so they can make an educated buying decision.

#2 Understanding What Customers Actually Want

Returns can cost your business. There has been a rise in the millennial shopping trend whereby they purchase multiple items with the intention to keep only a single item and return the rest. Now that Amazon has popularized free returns, customers have started taking returns for granted. Such policies may add convenience for the buyers but can prove catastrophic for the sellers. As an ecommerce business owner, you need to have a robust return management system to tackle such instances. Here are some strategies you can use:
  • Blacklist customers that repeatedly misuse your return policy
  • Include a variety of images (videos too if possible) to show the product from different angles. You can also add “zoom in” to the pictures to show the different textures and designs. This familiarizes the customers with the product so they can make an educated buying decision.

Final Words

“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up.”
– Michael Jordan

I hope the ecommerce business growth ideas shared in this article were insightful for your business. Orderhive can help you sail through some of the roadblocks mentioned above – managing returns and inventory management. Give it a try.

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Neel Vithlani

Neel is a creative who's always ready to lay his hands on anything that is innovative and captures masses. He is currently working with The X Future. Apart from technology and business practices, he drools over psychology, history, and cinematography. You can find him on hiking trips, talking over anything from alien belief systems to 90's cartoon shows.
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