Subject: CSR and Ethics Topic is Eliminating the use of Plastics We need power point presentation on this topic. And all the points are attached in file. Please check it
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Eliminating the Use of Plastics
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Eliminating the Use of Plastics
Nowadays, organizations operate with significant social impacts. Therefore, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is fundamental for workers, the board, and society since the practices reduce the company's effects on society. Tekla et al. (2021) define CSR as strategies used by organizations to be accountable to society. Besides, CSR initiatives by the organizations make them aware of their social impact (Bhagwat et al., 2020). In this sense, when an organization practices CSR, the organization becomes sensitive to its implications on society. Thereafter, they mitigate them according to the set standards of ethics. In return, they have the best business practices that translate into the creation of a competitive advantage. CSR and Ethics are commitments for companies to the environment, society, and governance procedures. Companies strive to improve their productivity by indulging in ethical, social responsibility. This paper seeks to examine companies' CSR and ethics programs' efforts to reduce or remove plastics from society.
Eliminating plastics is one way that companies are avoiding competition while giving the customer the ability to use environmentally friendly products while obtaining viable products. This section will show the key ways that companies curb plastic use as part of their social responsibility while working under ethical standards. CSR and ethics component provides the company with a basis for the realization of organizational objectives of conserving the natural resources within the community (Tekla et al., 2021). Companies practice CSR in ethical ways for various reasons. One, CSR practiced under ethical standards makes a good image of the company. Nyuur et al. (2019) concur that a company that practices bad environmental practices has a bad brand image. For this reason, companies take part in practices that protect the environment from plastics. Here, the organizations support disposal methods that are friendly to the environment. This way, the disposal of plastics within the society is done in an environmentally friendly manner. Moreover, the organization can give grants to ensure resources are available to dispose of plastics and remove them from society (Zhao et al., 2019). Replacing the plastics with reusable products will make certain plastics are not in the community.
Two, due to increasing sensitization, the public expects company practices to conserve natural resources. In this sense, organizations' moral obligation is to protect society from environmental degradation caused by plastics. Therefore, organizations design most of their products with recycling and disposal ability. Here, the companies opt for plastic replacements. Alternatively, adding recyclable contents in their plastic products makes them increase the demand for the materials (used plastics), thus ensuring recycling of the products. Then, the packaging uses materials that are recyclable, with the organization taking the conservation approach through to their customers (Bhagwat et al., 2020). In fact, looking for ways to use other biodegradable products or components will remove plastic from the environment. On the other hand, some companies encourage completely phasing out plastic products from their production process. In 2020, IKEA Furniture Company removed all plastic products. Instead, the company chose to make those products using materials that can be recycled.
Despite the societal pressure, there is national and international pressure on organizations to practice ethical methods of reducing the carbon footprint. Due to the pressure, CSR practices are carried out according to national regulations. Furthermore, compliance from organizations makes them get customer preference. Zhao et al. (2019) posit that after the pressure on organizations to start taking initiatives to protect the environment, 16% of managers consider CSR as the top of their agendas. Companies that rely on plastic have significantly applied methods to reduce plastics with the aim of eliminating plastics from their production systems. Here, companies encourage the use of materials from sustainable sources (Woodhouse, 2018). The result will be replacing plastics with materials that are disposable at homes. Some of the sustainable materials are bamboo and biodegradable paper packaging that replace plastic production. Take, for instance, the use of containers made from bamboos to package food in fast-food restaurants ensures the containers will be disposed of with no impact on the environment. On the other hand, the containers may be household collections as part of the recycling process.
Notwithstanding, practicing CRS programs using ethical standards leads to customer loyalty. Business reports show that consumers of plastic products demand that the companies work on initiatives to replace plastics (Nyuur et al., 2019). Therefore, companies work on efforts that reduce plastic by embracing ethical practices that address environmental issues. Besides, responding to consumer concerns makes the consumers trust the companies. Importantly, consumers are avoiding companies that use harmful plastics. From this sense, companies are working towards 100% recyclable packages (Bhagwat et al., 2020). Ideally, the companies concentrate on the use of plastics with higher rates of recycling. In addition, the companies encourage their production to remove or change plastic components that make them biodegradable. In return, recycling or disposal of the plastics will ensure the practice takes the plastic from the environment. For instance, Unilever Company set out to ensure they package with fully recyclable plastics, with the company focusing on fully compostable packages by the year 2050 (Woodhouse, 2018).
Lastly, practicing CSR within the set standards ensures a competitive advantage. The key significance of good CSR initiatives is to ensure social acceptance (Zhao et al., 2019), thereby eliminating competition. Many companies manage to stay on top of the market by carrying out social responsibility programs or supporting programs that reduce the social impacts of the companies. The contribution of companies to remove plastics from natural resources improves consumer preference. For instance, Coca-Cola has the World Without Waste Campaign to help its recyclable efforts of removing plastics from the environment (Woodhouse, 2018). Moreover, the company is trying out new approaches such as working with government and non-governmental initiatives that help with the elimination of plastics.
On the other hand, the practice of CSR and ethics is significant when facing competition. Rival companies tend to gain on their competitors when they practice social responsibility. Unilever made an effort to reduce plastic use after the rival company Nestle announced that they aim to reduce the use of plastic packs. The practice of social responsibility is more of a financial strategy than for conservation. As a result, Unilever aligned with the New Plastic Economy initiative to help them publish sustainable packaging materials by 2025 (Zhao et al., 2019). Therefore, the list will offer companies a platform to get innovations that will replace plastics. Moreover, the alternatives provided on the list will ensure the products are recyclable or disposable at home.
In conclusion, due to the toxic nature of plastics, many people decline plastic products hence opting for better ways of ensuring sustainability. Governments are also taking part by getting into agreements that guarantee the companies while producing their products use ethical practice. Organizations have no option out of this, so they have to embrace sustainable and ethical approaches to avoid environmental impacts on society. Therefore, companies should practice Corporate Social Responsibility using ethical standards in their production processes. In return, the products are 100% recyclable or disposable at home. In addition, the companies should take the initiative to collaborate with initiatives that reduce plastic use or offer financial support for those efforts. Moreover, the companies need CSR practices that ensure they create a competitive advantage while providing for their customer demands.
References
Bhagwat, G., Gray, K., Wilson, S. P., Muniyasamy, S., Vincent, S. G. T., Bush, R., & Palanisami, T. (2020). Benchmarking bioplastics: A natural step towards a sustainable future. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 1-21.
Nyuur, R. B., Ofori, D. F., & Amponsah, M. M. (2019). Corporate social responsibility and competitive advantage: A developing country perspective. Thunderbird International Business, 61(4), 551-564.
Tekla, A. G., Reagan, P. M., Do. B., Levi, A., & Lichtman, C. (2021). Translating corporate social responsibility into action: a social learning perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 171(4), 741-756.
Woodhouse, D (2018). What are businesses doing to turn off the plastic tap? UNEP report, Unsplash.
Zhao, Z., Meng, F., He, Y., & Gu, Z. (2019). The influence of corporate social responsibility on competitive advantage with multiple mediations from social capital and dynamic capabilities. Sustainability, 11(1), 218.
