Sustainability and Environmental Issues in Business: Certificate 2

This document provides a comprehensive solution to a business assignment focused on sustainability and environmental issues within various workplace contexts. The assignment addresses key concepts of sustainability, its relevance to specific industries such as printing presses and insurance offices, and potential environmental hazards. It delves into the role of a desktop publishing operator and a production worker in a plastic container factory, outlining relevant environmental issues and legislation applicable to their roles. Furthermore, the assignment details a step-by-step procedure for identifying and reporting breaches of environmental/sustainability laws or regulations, emphasizing the importance of investigation, containment, assessment, reporting, and corrective action. The solution emphasizes practical applications and provides a structured approach to understanding and managing environmental responsibilities in a business setting.

Certificate 2 in Business
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Task 1
Q1. What was the central issue/objective that the company wanted to address?
Q2. What steps did they take to achieve their objective?
Q3. What processes were used and implemented to make it happen?
Q4. What were the key outcomes and lessons?
Task 3
Q1: Briefly describe the concept of “ sustainability” in your own words.
Sustainability means fulfilling the needs of the present without jeopardizing the needs of the future
generation and the ability to fulfill them. There are three main components of sustainability, namely,
economic, environmental, and social. At present, sustainability is a well-known and followed concept of
all nations. People work towards sustainable development. It simply means fulfilling the needs of the
present generation in such a way that future generations do not have to adjust or compromise in
fulfillment of their needs. Therefore, effective usage of economic, environmental, and social resources is
promoted.
Q2: Explain how sustainability will be applicable and relevant to; A printing press; and A busy
insurance office.
Achieving sustainability at a printing press is rather difficult. They need many printers, huge setups, large
stacks of papers are present. They use plastic, chemicals, water, etc. that has environmental influences.
Big old printing machines contribute to electronic waste and make the problem bigger. Using eco-friendly
printers and inks can help reduce the sustainability issue to some level. A company that follows
sustainable practices is valued by the customers. The printing press can use recycled paper, supporting the
managed forests that reduce the carbon footprint to minimum and adopting digitization. As for a busy
insurance office, paper and files are in huge quantity and they need to be reduced to a minimum by using
digital technology. Less use of paper will ensure less deforestation and a significant reduction in waste.
For printing purposes, double side of the sheet can be used instead of one, it helps save paper. Paper
recycling and reusing stationery can also be helpful. Keeping a check on electrical appliances is also a
way to promote sustainability. When not in use they should be turned off.
Q3: Provide three example of potential sustainability/environmental hazards in workplaces
mentioned in Question 2.

The factors like improper handling of cleaning substances or office supplies can be dangerous.
Sometimes, an improper ventilation system is also harmful. In addition, the misuse of electricity can be
harmful to sustainability and the environment.
Q4: Assuming that you are working as a desktop publishing operator, outline the relevant
environmental issues and legislation applicable to your role.
As a desktop publishing operator, electricity sustainability issues are more likely to take place according
to the job profile as the majority of the work is done at the desk with computer and printer. Discarding ink
cartridges, using the papers without printing double sides, leaving the computer and printer turned on
even when not in use are the key issues. The legislation that can be applied is switching off the printer and
the computer when going for a break or when not in use, minimizing the paperwork and using soft copies
of the layouts. Furthermore, recycling and reusing paper and ink cartridges can be helpful.
Q5: Assuming that you are working as a production/process worker in a factory producing plastic
containers, outline the relevant environmental issues and legislation applicable to your role.
As a worker in the factory that produces plastic, major environmental issue is that of plastic production. It
is non-biodegradable and thus harmful to the environment. Plastic consist of toxins that harm air, water,
and land. In such scenarios, recycling is an important aspect. Adopting the degradable plastic can be
helpful and the plastic waste should be disposed of properly. In fact, there should be proper licensing and
agreements to the same. As a processor, suggesting the top management with such points will be
immensely helpful.
Q6: List a procedure for identifying the reporting a breach of environmental/sustainability law or
regulation (use the examples in previous questions for a context).
The procedure for identifying the reporting a breach of environmental/sustainability law or regulation is
as follows:
1. One of the crucial parts of breach reporting, investigation and correction is done peacefully and
with the cooperation of all the involved people. It is helpful, to be honest and supportive.
2. In case of accidental breaches or errors, blames should not be given to any party.
3. However, creating errors or breaches willingly and deliberately or due to negligence will be
investigated and appropriate action will be taken.
4. For the purpose of reporting and investigation of breaches following steps shall be followed-
i. Identification: It is the duty of the staff to report any breach to the supervisor or person
in charge. If in case the head is unavailable, the HR manager should be contacted and
informed about the issue. These breaches can be reported anonymously if someone feels
threatened to report with their name. When the supervisor receives the information about
the breach, it is his duty to report it to the senior authorities.
ii. Containing the breach: It becomes the responsibility of the supervisor to take
immediate action on the information provided. The nature of the breach can be varied and

thus different actions are required in different situations. Some cases might require
ceasing the unauthorized works while others may require pulling past records or files.
The evidence shall be handled carefully and with caution so that it is not compromised or
damaged. The viability of the evidence is a strong determinant of proper and fair action.
iii. Assessing the breach: It is important to estimate the level of risk involved in the breach.
The significant breach will require the IRT i.e. Incident Response Team. Different type of
breaches needs different authorization. It is under the IRT’s jurisdiction to manage the
case until it is settled. The leader, therefore, is responsible for managing the media and
will use relevant information to share.
iv. Reporting: If the breach is significant and needs investigation, then it should be done. It
is natural that the seriousness and intensity of the investigation will be done keeping in
view the level of breach. During the investigation process, the main reason for the breach
should be identified. Furthermore, it should be found whether the breach is deliberate,
accidental, negligence, or any other. In fact, appropriate steps should be taken to control
the chaotic environment and prevent similar breaches from happening in future. The
duration of investigation is an important factor, i.e. the sooner it is addressed and
wrapped up, sooner the work can be resumed. The investigation result shall be informed
to the leader/head or supervisor. The audit committee should be aware of any and all
breaches. If in case, the breach is the result of any criminal intent, then the lawful
authorities should be involved to take the proper and correct measure. Mandatory
reporting requirements should be fulfilled such as informing the media and the public.
The IRT will be the managing authority in any significant breaches.
v. Action: The corrective action will be taken at the appropriate time. If the breach is due to
system issues, then the improvement plans shall be framed and put in place to deal with
the situation. Development and implementation should be properly monitored.
vi. Registering the beach: There should be a proper and secure record-keeping system to
record and register the breaches. All information concerning breaches and potential
breaches shall be recorded. Moreover, the investigation, actions, reporting, etc. should
also be recorded.
References
(WILL BE ADDED WHEN TASK 1 IS ALSO DONE)