Ethics, Sustainability and Social Impact.

Ethics, Sustainability and
Social Impact

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................2
Explanation in detail about the causes and effect of plastic pollution.........................................2
Discussion about the concept of Circular Economy along with its influence over six
characteristics mentioned in New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report......................4
Brief introduction of the selected organisation and evaluation of its performance on the basis
of six characteristics mentioned in New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report............6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Pollution is referring as the presence of substances within the environment that have negative
impact over planet. The impact of the pollution is ascertained in the form of reducing the natural
viability of plant which is necessary in direction of long term sustainability. One of the main and
common source has largest contribution towards pollution in society and overall environment is
Plastic. It is understood as the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment and have
influence over wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. The waste of plastic is present in various
manner includes bottles, plastic bags, clothes and cosmetics such as micro plastics. Now, this is
also emerged in food chain through rivers, ocean and seas. It is cleared from the point that
microfibers of plastic present in clothes are consumed by sea life which will be consumed by
humans in future. In overall manner, excessive use of plastic in all different industries leads
negative impact over the health of humans and animals in various forms. This is the clear sign
behind the diminishing sustainability of planet as this is totally around towards human and
wildlife’s. No one is able to think of sustainable planet without the combination in between these
two living sources. So, it is must to save the environment from every kind of pollution either
from plastic or any other resource. In this direction, positive step is taken through acceptance of
the concept of circular economy principles into business models. Also in this regard, common
vision for circular economy for plastics is provided by New Plastics Economy Global
Commitment (Blok and Gremmen, 2016). The main aim of this report is to ascertain the
contribution of six characteristics presented in the common vision for a circular economy for
plastics towards reduction of plastic waste. The organisation selected to carrying research over
this topic is Nestle. It is Multinational organisation that provide its products and services all over
the world. This organisation has main business operations in Food and Drink sector.
The aspects cover in this report includes determination of the causes and effects of plastic
pollution, discussion about the concept of circular economy and introduction of the selected
organisation along with its performance to meet six characteristics mentioned in the New Plastics
Economy Global Commitment report.
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MAIN BODY
Explanation in detail about the causes and effect of plastic pollution
Plastic is one of the common and largest source of pollution that is used at worldwide level. It is
not used within the specific organisations or industries. It has presence in all different industries
operating worldwide in various forms either directly or indirectly. This clearly depicts the
existence level of this source within the environment along with contribution in overall pollution.
The use of plastic is not limited to the organisations. Its increasing demand among the consumers
is also the reason behind the increment of the organisations that solely involved in the production
of plastic bags. The use of plastic bags for carrying materials is increasing continuously over the
period of time. In all over the world, considered as the main source that is use in households for
carrying materials from the market due to its durability and strength. So, it is clear that demand
and preference of consumers also become the reason that leads the high production of plastic
along with its usage. While talking about the organisations working in different industries,
plastic is used in various manner to deliver the end products. It is majorly used for the purpose of
packaging the products. Also, there are some businesses present in market that use the
microfibers of plastic in production of end product. Clothing manufactures are from them who
uses the microfibers of plastic in production of different clothing materials to provide strength
and durability. Also, the main reason behind its usage to satisfy the demand of consumers
present in market. They always want to purchase the clothing materials that are stylish, low in
price and durable in nature. This stimulates the behaviour of all the clothing manufacturers to use
plastic in production to improve the strength along with reduction of cost. On the other hand, the
number of organisations who uses plastic as packaging materials are high in market. From small
to large, each kind of organisation take the use of plastic in packing of their end products
(Braungart, 2007). This also creates the business opportunities that resultants into increase the
number of organisations which are directly involved in the production of plastic packaging
material. It is clear from the above description that organisation need and consumer behaviour
are integrally the source that stimulates the demand of plastic use in market for different
purposes. It is clearly understood from the above description that there are many sources that
contributes in the improvement of plastic production, usage and pollution in environment.
The high use of plastic within an environment by various parties for different purposes also
results into the negative impact. This negative impact is not limited to over one determinant. It
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has impact over all different attributes due to the involvement of the large number of parties in
consumption of plastic. The aspects which are influenced because of plastic use are oceans,
people’s health, economy and wildlife.
The impact over oceans is ascertained in the manner that waste of plastic will be dumped in
oceans on large amount due to its non-disposable or reusable in nature. Every year, large number
of plastic waste is collected from the different industries and dumped in the oceans that have
negative impact over sea life’s. They consume the same and died. This process resultants into the
direction of finish of large number of sea species that were exist in large number. This is
happened due to the dumping of plastic waste in ocean that destroys their natural habitat of living
and creates the conditions where they are unable to survive. This is totally working in the
direction of eliminating viability of the life cycle circle (de Bakker, Rasche and Ponte, 2019).
The high usage of plastic is also having great negative impact over the health of humans.
The plastic waste created every year is disposed in various manner like dump in oceans, burning,
underground digging etc. All these activities in turn prove as the negative for the health of
individuals reside in society. The dumped waste consumed by sea life and same will be
consumed in future by human’s that impacts the health and creates many health issues. The
impact burning plastic is worst in nature where it releases the CO2 that diminishes the ability to
get fresh air and oxygen by people. This resultant into creation of issues related to breathing and
other health related problems in future. The emission of gas from burning also depletes ozone
layer and impacts the environment negatively. This resultant into presence of conditions like
climate change and high UV effect that impacts the life of human too.
The impact over economy is ascertained in the manner that lots of measure are taken
globally from the side of institutions to reduce the use of plastics. Also, the rules and regulations
are framed that govern the plastic use and its nature of development. If all these are not adopted
or not able to combat the high use of plastic through adherence of these regulations, then have to
face criticism and restrictions from the overall world that results into diminishing economy in
front of others along with reduction in opportunities to grow with continuous rate. Also, this
negative nature or ability of nation creation wrong perception among the personnel of society
where they focused over the use of mediums that are beneficial for themselves instead of
environment of or large number of people. The overall impact in future will be ascertained in the
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form of less investment from the foreign parties that restricts economic growth at both
international domestic level (De Bernardi, Bertello and Venuti, 2019).
The impact of plastic is not finished or limited to above defined topics. This also has
impact over the wildlife too. The over usage of plastic and no option of disposing results into
identification of places where it can be dumped. Putting of plastic wastes in forests negatively
impacts the habitat of wildlife animals. The consumption of plastic leads the death of animals
that impacts the working of wildlife circle. Initially, the impact is low and non-visible but in
future it will be a big issues and creates the situation that is non recoverable in nature. Also, the
effect of plastic disposition on climate impacts the natural resources upon which life of many
animals is based. In upcoming time, this will be the main issue and proves as negative factor
against to the life of animals. This results into the creation of situation like drought, flood and
forest fire.
Discussion about the concept of Circular Economy along with its influence over six
characteristics mentioned in New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report
Circular economy is the new principle and based upon the concept that focuses over elimination
of waste. The main of this model is to remove the gap between the production and natural
ecosystem cycles. This is so because the life cycle of human is totally depending upon same.
While understand in detailed manner then this includes various aspects and wide in nature such
as eliminating waste, composting biodegradable waste and if it is the nature of non-
biodegradable then focus over its reuse, remanufacture & recycle. This also cover cutting off the
use of chemical substances and focusing on renewable energy that help in development or
regeneration of natural system of working (Rawhouser, Cummings and Newbert, 2019).
The ‘Circular Economy' is the idea of removing most extreme utility from items, parts, and
materials in the mechanical framework and attempting to accommodate financial development
with the conservation of nature.
Circular economy as per the definition of world economic forum, a circle about economy is a
mechanical framework that is remedial or regenerative by aim and plan. It replaces the finish of-
life idea with rebuilding, shifts towards the utilization of sustainable power source, takes out the
utilization of poisonous synthetic concoctions, which impede reuse and come back to the
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biosphere, and focuses on the disposal of waste through the predominant structure of materials,
items, frameworks, and plans of action (Fordham and Robinson, 2019).
There are many theories from where the concept of circular economy is emerged. In this
direction the two main were Cradle to Cradle design philosophy of McDonough and Braungart
and the blue economy systems approach described by Pauli. The aspects which are covered in
the theory named Cradle to Cradle includes changing the manner in which we make things. It's a
confirmed item standard that incorporates numerous qualities, including safe materials, ceaseless
recovery and reuse of materials, clean water, sustainable power source and social decency
(Cradle to Cradle, 2020). It depends on the standards of 'squander rises to nourishment', 'utilize
sun oriented salary' and 'praise decent variety'. Just as a structure idea, Cradle to Cradle is
likewise a quality standard and a development stage. It depends on the conviction that creative
science and configuration can move industry past straightforward 'decrease of this' or 'sparing of
that' towards another worldview where development is acceptable: eco-adequacy. On the other
hand, the thoughts which were covered under another theory named as blue economy systems
approach includes an open source development that can possibly move society from shortage to
plenitude. It intends to fuse the best for both our wellbeing and the earth, by utilizing the assets
accessible in falling frameworks and guaranteeing that item squander is used as contribution to
make another income (The blue economy systems approach, 2020). The Blue Economy moves in
the direction of answers for all social orders, regardless of whether they be unreached networks
or worldwide organizations, by drawing in a nearby arrangement of creation and utilization,
which focuses on working with accessible neighbourhood assets and adjusting aptitudes and the
current framework as needs be.
The concept of circular economy has global influence that also manipulates the
functioning of New Plastic Economy Global Commitment organisation and aid in formulation of
six different characteristics as common vision that guides in the direction of reducing plastic
waste. The main principles of circular economy upon which the common visions of global
committee are based includes;
Energy and resources are gold: This is the idea upon which the concept of circular
economy is based where mentioned there is nothing like waste exists. Here, focus is provided
over development of quality materials that are easy to use and also can be renewed on
requirement.
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Following nature’s cycles and designs: This is the principle that used in the production of
biologically based materials that can be easily feed back into the system through application of
processes like anaerobic digestion and compositing.
All in with renewable energies: This is the principle which includes that whatever use in
the cycle of production needed to be renewable in nature. The main of this aspect is
improvement of systems resilience and decreasing of resource dependence (Luque and Herrero‐
García, 2019).
The six different characteristics or common vision developed through adherence of the
principles of circular economy are presented below:
 Elimination of the use of unnecessary plastic through focus over redesigning, innovation
and adoption of the new delivery model.
 Application of the use if reuse models where relevant, eliminate the use of single time
packaging plastic.
 All the plastic material going to be use is needed to be 100% reusable, recycle or
compostable.
 All the plastic packaging is recycled, reused or composted in practice.
 The plastic is needed to be decoupled from the usage of finite resources.
 All the plastic packaging’s are required to be free from hazardous chemicals and also
needed to respect all the rights, health & safety of people involved (New Plastics
Economy Global Commitment report, 2020).
Brief introduction of the selected organisation and evaluation of its performance on the basis of
six characteristics mentioned in New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report
Nestle is a multinational organisation founded in 1866. The industry in which this have business
operations is Food Processing. The founder of this organisation is Henri Nestle. The main
headquarter is situated at Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland. The different number of products and
services are deliver by this company at global level. The main product lines from where an
organisation earns huge amount of profit includes coffee, baby food, dairy products,
confectionery, bottled water, breakfast cereals, ice cream, pet foods etc. The total number of
employees working in this organisation at worldwide level are 352000. Since 2014, it is world’s
large food organisation in terms of revenue and other metrics. The total number of factories
possess by this organisation at global level are around 447 in different 189 nations. This is also
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main shareholder of an organisation named L’Oréal i.e. world’s largest cosmetic organisation.
The contribution of this organisation is also good towards society. All the products provided by
them are qualitative in nature and passed all the necessary tests of standards at worldwide level.
Also, the organisation is active in CSR activities through focusing or performance of different
nature of programmes along with funding to society or government to tackle with basic living
issues (Nestle, 2020). The contribution of this organisation towards environment is also
prominent in nature. They adapt all the necessary measures that will help to diminish the
negative impact of their business operations upon environment and society. In this direction, they
taken the step by signing the commitment with New Plastic Economy Global Commitment
organisation regarding reduction of the plastic use. The different measures taken by Nestle in
reducing the use of plastic and evaluation of same on the basis of six different characteristics
provided by New Plastics Economy Global Commitment organisation is presented below:
Nestle build the commitment or vision of the use of 100% recyclable and reusable
packaging by 2025. They focused over elimination of the usage of single use plastics through
focusing over new deliver systems and innovation business models (Nicholson and Kurucz,
2019). In early 2020, Nestle announced the investment of CHF 2 billion for shifting the use from
the virgin plastics to food grade recycled plastics and to focus over innovations in development
of new packaging solutions. In this direction, Nestle also opened the separate institute that just
focusing over the work of sustainable product packaging. It is opened in 2019 and known as
Packaging sciences that provides the support in identification of functional, safe and
environment friendly packaging solutions to address market needs and global challenge of
reducing plastic packaging waste. Also, Nestle is working with value chain partners, industry and
civil society in identification of new packaging concepts and shaping waste free future
(Measures adopted by Nestle to tackle plastic waste, 2020).
In comparison to the six different characteristics, many of them are satisfied by Nestle
but needed to work hard in this direction to achieve all six characteristics. It is planned by Nestle
to attain all till 2025.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that plastic pollution is big issue that world
is facing in today’s business environment. This not only have negative impact over environment
but also affects many other includes humans, wildlife and wildlife habitats. There are many steps
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are taken at worldwide level to combat the impact of plastic pollution and improve the values
associated with environment. It is identified that organisation working on global platform in this
direction known as New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. They build six common values
that are needed to adhere for reducing the waste of plastics. These are based upon the principles
of circular economy were focus is provided on reuse of everything at optimum level. They
working with the perception that nothing is waste in environment and tried to use all till its 100%
utilisation. The measures which are used by Nestle to deal with plastic issue are effective in
nature where they shift from the use of virgin plastic to food grade recycled plastics. Also, they
developed separate institute packaging sciences that help in development of packaging solutions
that are innovative and reusable in nature.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Blok, V., & Gremmen, B. 2016. Ecological Innovation: Biomimicry as a New Way of Thinking
and Acting Ecologically. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics. 29(2). 203-
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Braungart, M. 2007. The wisdom of the cherry tree. International Commerce Review. 7(2). 152-
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de Bakker, F. G., Rasche, A. and Ponte, S., 2019. Multi-Stakeholder initiatives on sustainability:
a cross-disciplinary review and research agenda for business ethics. Business Ethics
Quarterly. 29(3). pp.343-383.
De Bernardi, P., Bertello, A. and Venuti, F., 2019. Online and on-site interactions within
alternative food networks: Sustainability impact of knowledge-sharing
practices. Sustainability. 11(5). p.1457.
Fordham, A. E. and Robinson, G. M., 2019. Identifying the social values driving corporate social
responsibility. Sustainability Science. 14(5). pp.1409-1424.
Luque, A. and Herrero‐García, N., 2019. How corporate social (ir) responsibility in the textile
sector is defined, and its impact on ethical sustainability: An analysis of 133
concepts. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 26(6).
pp.1285-1306.
Nicholson, J. and Kurucz, E., 2019. Relational leadership for sustainability: Building an ethical
framework from the moral theory of ‘ethics of care’. Journal of Business Ethics. 156(1).
pp.25-43.
Rawhouser, H., Cummings, M. and Newbert, S. L., 2019. Social impact measurement: Current
approaches and future directions for social entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship
Theory and Practice. 43(1). pp.82-115.
Online:
Measures adopted by Nestle to tackle plastic waste. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <
https://www.nestle.com/ask-nestle/environment/answers/tackling-packaging-waste-
plastic-bottles >
New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/GC-Report-June19.pdf>
Nestle. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: https://www.nestle.com/
Cradle to Cradle. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <https://mcdonough.com/cradle-to
cradle/>
The blue economy systems approach. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <https://circular-
impacts.eu/blog/2017/07/19/what-blue-economy>
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