Sustainable Management and Marketing: Plastic Collective Case Study

This report discusses Plastic Collective, an organization working towards sustainability by converting plastic waste into valuable resources. It covers their background, importance, sustainability strategies, issues, and theories. It also discusses their sustainable practices towards plastic and the functions of management. The report provides insights into how Plastic Collective is making a positive impact on the environment and society.

Sustainable management and marketing
10/19/2018
Plastic Collective

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Background of Plastic collective.....................................................................................................4
Importance of Plastic collective.......................................................................................................5
Sustainability strategies...................................................................................................................5
Recycling of plastic.....................................................................................................................5
Reduce the waste.........................................................................................................................6
Reuse of plastic............................................................................................................................6
Sustainability issues.........................................................................................................................7
Community health and safety issue.............................................................................................7
Negative impact on tourism.........................................................................................................7
Economic impact.........................................................................................................................7
Impact of wildlife and habitat......................................................................................................8
Collection and infrastructure.......................................................................................................8
Sustainable practice towards plastic................................................................................................8
Sustainability Theories..................................................................................................................10
Balance theory...........................................................................................................................10
Zero waste theory......................................................................................................................10
Functions of management..............................................................................................................10
Role of planning........................................................................................................................10

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Role of organizing.....................................................................................................................11
Role of leading...........................................................................................................................11
Role of control...........................................................................................................................11
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
The aim of the report is to talk about the Plastic collective which is an organisation who is
working for sustainability. Sustainability is the process of maintaining the change in the balanced
fashion, in which the exploitation of resources, the orientation of technology are all in harmony
and enhance both the current and future potential which is required to meet the needs and
demands. Plastic collective leaves an example of the sustainable and ethical industry that is
putting efforts to turn the waste into the income. This has been found in the research that the use
of plastic is increasing in Australia. The country alone makes use of the 6.9 billion plastic bags in
a year out of which 3.6 billion are plastic shopping bags. The government of the country need to
pay the excess of 4$ million to clean up the waste of plastic litter on yearly basis. Currently, it is
predicted that ocean floor of plastic includes 70 kg in every square kilometre (Ocean Crusaders,
2018).
The rise in the flows and use of the plastic is affecting the country and it is high time to tighten
the belts to recycle the plastic. This is the fact that the management of sustainable practices is
possible with the use of an effective system that avoids the creation of toxins, pollution and
plastic waste. The report includes the details related to the sustainability associated strategies that
are followed by the company to reduce the impact of the plastic on Australia. Further, it includes
the details related to the sustainable theories, practices and issues that are implemented by the
company.

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Background of Plastic collective
Plastic collective came was formed by Louise Hardman who is an innovative social enterprise
that provides the solution to the small and distant communities. This solution helps the
communities to convert the plastic waste into the resources that are valuable. The mission for
whom they are performing the business operations is to protect the leaking of plastic in the
environment (Plastic Collective, 2018). The company have developed the educational program
with training, tools and equipment's that assist in transforming the waste plastic into the valuable
resources that offer the income for the communities. Years ago, Louise Hardman found a huge
amount of plastic into the ocean and a girl was letting the plastic flow in the ocean with the
motive that it will get disposed but that is actually not true. This made the person to take the step
in which they will offer the education to the next generation which is possible with the mode of
teaching. This made his idea for the new business whose name is "The Plastic Collective"
(Plastic Collective, 2018).
He invested the machine Shruder that performs the activity of shredding and extruding plastic
waste. Firstly, the major focus was on remote areas which later shifted to the concentrated places
in Australia where the job opportunities are limited and no option for managing the plastic waste
(Plastic Collective, 2018). The initial step which was taken by the company related to the
training program that includes educating the societies and motivating them to perform the
activities within the team and to create the micro businesses in the sector. The company work for
recycling the plastic which can be further used by them for building the household material and
many other items. The plastic collective adopted the strategy to perform the partnership with
NevHouse which work to convert the plastic into the different items that are affordable in 2017

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(Plastic Collective, 2018). The individuals can attain the plastic waste-free status and contribute
to maintain a healthy environment.
Importance of Plastic collective
The plastic collective is performing important activities in the market of Australia related to the
plastic. The company brings the essential material that is must for the landfills and then
motivates the business to create new and innovative products made of the recycles products. The
solution of the company is based on the 3 pillars which include empowering people with
information or knowledge, innovate and design new materials, forming the reliable and practical
tools like Shruder machine (Plastic Collective, 2018). These pillars help the company to decrease
the consumption of fossil fuels, reduce the need for recycling, saves the energy. The motive of
the company is to concern the remote locations on the prior basis as there is a need to maintain
the simplicity, long life, improvement in livening standard and many others.
Sustainability strategies
In this section, the strategies that will help in maintaining the sustainable environments are
discussed: -
Recycling of plastic
The recycling of the plastic is one of the major components that in preserving the resources for
the society. This is an effective way to manage the waste materials that are already generated
once and it can't be reused again. This strategy is also followed by the plastic collective and this
is the reason due to which they separate the waste according to the different materials so that
effective recycling can be done (Pivnenko, et al 2016). This strategy helps not only in procuring

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the resources but also living the sustainable life and maintaining the values. This strategy brings
a huge difference in the way people used to deal with the plastic and will change society.
Reduce the waste
Waste reduction and prevention is another strategy that can be selected for maintaining a
sustainable environment. The waste of plastic generally takes place because people in society
don't make effective use of it due to which they waste a lot. The Plastic collective is following
the strategy as the education to the people related to the plastic is an effective way through which
they can make effective use of it or can reduce the wastage of plastic products (Brunner and
Rechberger, 2015). The reduction in plastic waste will maintain the environment and atmosphere
of the country with this it eliminates the harmful substances that can affect the lives of the
people.
Reuse of plastic
Reuse of the product means making use of the product more than once, either for the same
purpose or for different. In the current market, there are different plastic products which can be
used by the individuals again which include plastic glass, shopping bags and many others. This
will include repairing the products, selling them again and donating them to others. This is the
preferable option because in this they need to re-process for making use of it again (Andrady,
2015). However, this process saves the money and reduces the impact of the environment. The
plastic collective company needs to give the education related to the reuse of the plastic which
doesn't create an impact on sustainability and maintain the lives of people. This is possible with
the help of education among the employees.

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Sustainability issues
Community health and safety issue
The health and safety of the community are in danger because of the popular practice of burning
off plastic which leads to different health issues for the people. Along with this, the dumping of
plastic encourages the unsanitary conditions and also enhances the risk for human consumption.
The burning of plastic leaves different toxics that populates the air due to which the health of the
people gets affected. Along with this, the burning of plastic somewhere affects the environment
which leads to an issue for the sustainability of the people and surroundings (Plastic Collective,
2018).
Negative impact on tourism
The tourism gets negatively affected due to the use of plastic in the surroundings. The aesthetic
and visual effects from the plastic pollution are majorly on beaches and in waterways and it is
considered as major detrimental to tourism (Prata, 2018). This has been found that many island
countries tourism consider it as a major component of tourism. The plastic waste on water and
seas affect the experiences of tourist at that place. Moreover, the tourist who finds the plastic
waste in the water avoids visiting because they find the threat of the skin infection, unhygienic
and other diseases.
Economic impact
The economic impact is considered as one of the leading sustainability issues which are faced by
the company. The cost of plastic waste pollution is predicted as $13 billion every year in health
issues, wildlife, habitats, tourism and numerous other issues (Ten Brink, et al 2018). In the

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economy, a huge amount has been invested in plastic for making products and other materials
which is not an effective outcome economy of the country.
Impact of wildlife and habitat
The movement of the plastic and its waste from sea to land has a different effect on the life and
habitats of marine which mainly include marine animals. Along with this, the plastic also
contributes to destroy the reefs. This is not limited over here as plastic is also impacting the lives
of the coastal communities because they generally remain depended on the fishing for the
purpose of food and employment. The plastic hampers the process of fishing and also the lives of
fish.
Collection and infrastructure
The collection and infrastructure of the places are also becoming a leading sustainability issue. In
the remote and small communities, the collection of plastic waste doesn't exist as they are not
equipped with the effective infrastructure of managing waste products (Zorpas, et al 2015).
Along with this, the transport cost of the products is very high which becomes so expensive that
it leads to the huddle for the sustainability practice.
Sustainable practice towards plastic
In the current scenario, plastic waste is spreading across the world which is equal to 11 million
tonnes. The plastic waste is not only polluting the environment but it is also harming the
environment. The plastic leads to various issues which include different spreading of different
diseases and affected humans as well as on wildlife. Considering the situation of the country, the
plastic collective company took the initiative to generate awareness and to reduce the plastic

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from the world. This has been found that Plastic Collective company need to conduct some
practices which are suggested to the company.
 The plastic collective company need to take the initiative for natural resources and to
protect the environment. This will include reducing the greenhouse gas emission and to
reduce the energy that is consumed for generating new products (Andrady, et al 2015).
 The programs for the planting of trees will reduce the impact on the environment. Along
with this, they should also pay attention to the renewable sources that can be used to save
energy.
 There is a need for the proper management of the financial cost as well as the
environment burdens that are essential for maintaining sustainability.
 The development of technology has brought numerous treatments that contribute to
manage the waste of plastic. The plastic collective company need to find the technology
and then need to apply the same (Robertson, 2014).
Generally, this has been found that Plastic collective company is performing the practice of
collective, conveying, processing and disposing of the plastic waste material that affects the
livelihood of the people. The company need to find the different effective ways through which
they can manage the plastic instead of dumping it into landfills because this is affecting the land
where new plants can be grown (Ragaert, Delva and Van Geem, 2017). This solution might
include recycling and reusing the wastage of plastic. Sustainable practices of plastic collective
will contribute in decreasing the use in transit because of their lightweight consumer goods
wastage.

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Sustainability Theories
Balance theory
Balance theory is created with the motive to decrease the demolition of the waste of plastic in
searching for a way that makes it valuable. It is very essential in the environment to manage the
balance between the supply of plastic and demand for material that is made from the plastic. This
theory is recommended to be applied by the plastic collective company so that they can reduce
the plastic waste to maintain the balance in the environment which is must for the sustainability.
It is must for the government to an emphasis on applying this theory on their work so that the can
maintain the gree working culture (Campbell, et al 2016).
Zero waste theory
Zero waste theory is the new step that is taken to the new direction for making the environment
with zero waste that helps in achieving the sustainability. This theory helps in eliminating and
avoiding the waste effectively which is required to manage the sustainable environment (Hottle,
Bilec, Brown and Landis, 2015). The major aim of the theory is to provide assistance to the
economically, ethically and to guide individuals for their sustainable lives. The application of
their theory will remove all discharges related to the water, air, land, human and plant.
Functions of management
Role of planning
Planning is essential at each stage for effective and strategic planning as it prevents the landfills
(Singh and Sharma, 2016). The role of planning offers the opportunity to upgrade in local waste
management practice and eliminate the waste related to plastic which is required to maintain a

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sustainable environment. Planning helps in reducing the impact on the operations activities
which is essential for the effective management of the processes.
Role of organizing
The organizing includes the management related to the recycling of the plastic waste material
which is managed in a manner to decrease the pollution by the process to preserve the energy
and to improve the efficiency (Singh and Sharma, 2016). Plastic waste needs to be organised by
the plastic collective so that they can maintain the environment from plastic-free. Further, the
organizing also includes management of the plastic material.
Role of leading
The leading include guiding the other person for maintaining sustainability in the environment.
The local bodies, municipalities and other regulators of the society are performing the role of
leader to reduce the waste and process recycle, reuse and recovery of the plastic.
Role of control
It is essential to control the use of plastic products in the current environment. Moreover, the
remote areas need to put efforts from which the can separate the plastic and try to recycle it
(Haward, 2018). This control will effectively contribute in reducing the waste and to maintain
the sustainability in the environment.

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Recommendations
 Plastic collective needs to remain updated for the technology which will help them in
generating the sustainability of the environment. Therefore, it is suggested to them to
invest more amounts towards the technology.
 The company should also prevent the people from dumping the waste into the ocean on a
large scale because this issue is not only increasing in remote areas but also in urban
areas.
 It is essential to make the people understand that recycling and reduce is not the only way
but they should also consider the reuse. This needs to be done effectively so that no other
person and organism gets affected by any kind of disease.
 It is suggested to maintain plastic waste collecting trucks and recycling bins to collect the
plastic.

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Conclusion
The plastic collective is growing across Australia and other parts of the world with the motive to
manage the waste. The company is spreading education to reduce the use of plastic and to
recycle it. This has been found that it is empowering the individuals with plenty of knowledge
and new design with the use of the effective machinery that is used by them is Shruder Machine.
The report includes the details related to the sustainability strategies and issues which will help
in managing the environment and protecting the resources that are present in the environment.
All these elements reflect the ways through which the sustainability in the environment can be
managed. Along with this, the theories of sustainability is discussed which is required to be
followed by the company so that they can contribute to the environment and protect it. In
addition, the function of management related to the management of plastic waste has been
discussed which will support in reducing and maintain the waste.

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References
Andrady, A., Bomgardner, M., Southerton, D., Fossi, C. and Holmström, A. (2015) Plastics in a
sustainable society. Background paper, Stockholm.
Andrady, A.L. (2015) Plastics and environmental sustainability: fact and fiction. New Jersey:
John Wiley & Sons.
Brunner, P.H. and Rechberger, H. (2015) Waste to energy–key element for sustainable waste
management. Waste Management, 37, pp.3-12.
Campbell, L.M., Gray, N.J., Fairbanks, L., Silver, J.J., Gruby, R.L., Dubik, B.A. and Basurto, X.
(2016) Global oceans governance: New and emerging issues. Annual Review of Environment and
Resources, 41, pp.517-543.
Haward, M. (2018) Plastic pollution of the world’s seas and oceans as a contemporary challenge
in ocean governance. Nature Communications, 9(1), p.667.
Hottle, T.A., Bilec, M.M., Brown, N.R. and Landis, A.E. (2015) Toward zero waste: composting
and recycling for sustainable venue based events. Waste Management, 38, pp.86-94.
Ocean Crusaders (2018) Plastic Statistics [Online]. Available from:
http://oceancrusaders.org/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/ [Accessed on 19th October 2018]
Pivnenko, K., Eriksen, M.K., Martín-Fernández, J.A., Eriksson, E. and Astrup, T.F., (2016)
Recycling of plastic waste: presence of phthalates in plastics from households and
industry. Waste Management, 54, pp.44-52.

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Plastic Collective (2018) Our Mission [Online]. Available from:
https://www.plasticcollective.co/mission/ [Accessed on 19th October 2018]
Plastic Collective (2018) Our Team [Online]. Available from:
https://www.plasticcollective.co/team/ [Accessed on 19th October 2018]
Plastic Collective (2018) Partnership Programs [Online]. Available from:
https://www.plasticcollective.co/partnership-program [Accessed on 19th October 2018]
Plastic Collective (2018) Plastic Waste [Online]. Available from:
https://www.plasticcollective.co/plastic-waste-issue/ [Accessed on 19th October 2018]
Plastic Collective (2018) The Plastic Collective [Online]. Available from:
https://www.plasticcollective.co/ [Accessed on 19th October 2018]
Prata, J.C. (2018) Plastic litter in our oceans: a case for government action. Ocean Yearbook
Online, 32(1), pp.283-313.
Ragaert, K., Delva, L. and Van Geem, K. (2017) Mechanical and chemical recycling of solid
plastic waste. Waste Management.
Robertson, M. (2014) Sustainability principles and practice. New York: Routledge.
Singh, P. and Sharma, V.P. (2016) Integrated plastic waste management: environmental and
improved health approaches. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 35, pp.692-700.
Ten Brink, P., Schweitzer, J.P., Watkins, E., Janssens, C., De Smet, M., Leslie, H. and Galgani,
F. (2018) Circular economy measures to keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid
waste and reduce marine litter. Economics Discussion Papers, 3, pp.1-15.

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Zorpas, A.A., Lasaridi, K., Voukkali, I., Loizia, P. and Chroni, C. (2015) Household waste
compositional analysis variation from insular communities in the framework of waste prevention
strategy plans. Waste management, 38, pp.3-11.