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Waldeck, S. (n.d.). Australia raises recycling and reduction targets to 80% by 2030 amid pollution scourge.Packaginginsights.com/. https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/australia-raises-recycling-and-reduction-targets-to-80-by-2030-amid-pollution-scourge.html

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Creating content and engaging in the online world, by setting examples and supporting ideas, by showcasing lifestyle choices and also goals settings can help spread the word of recycling, a way australia is trying to get this to work by setting goals, according to Australians National Waste Policy Action Plan sets targets of recycling or reusing 80% of the countries waste by 2030 Waldeck, S. (n.d.) This is good target to reach because it creates a sense of urgency, and giving it a date creates a deadline making it a action to take for consumers, and the government. This can be easily spread around australia and around the world by using social media such as instagram, tiktok, facebook etc and by also showing recycling practises to encourage enviroment friendly behavior

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US EPA. (2013, April 16). Reducing and Reusing Basics. Www.epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20Reducing%20and%20Reusing

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Some ways the group can help promote ethical waste management, and positivey impact UNSDG 12 is by purchasing with  mindful actions by buying what is necessary and not doing impulsive purchasing, according to the USEPA it states that the benefits of reducing and reusing are that it, prevents poullution caused by reducing the need to harvest raw materials US EPA. (2013, April 16). Another soutltuoin you can do to help solve this peroblm is by buying products made with recycled content, or to check the labels to see if they are able to be recycled. Recycling has alot of benefits to the environment. By recycling materials, we contribute to a healthier planet for both current and future generations.

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Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2022). Product stewardship - DCCEEW. Dcceew.gov.au. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/national-waste-reports/2013/product-stewardship

Pan, D., Chen, H., Zhou, G., & Kong, F. (2020). Determinants of Public-Private Partnership Adoption in Solid Waste Management in Rural China. Determinants of Public-Private Partnership Adoption in Solid Waste Management in Rural China, 17(15), 5350–5350. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155350

Rauert, C., Harrad, S., Stranger, M., & Lazarov, B. (2014). Test chamber investigation of the volatilization from source materials of brominated flame retardants and their subsequent deposition to indoor dust. Indoor Air, 25(4), 393–404. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12151

Song, Y. K., Hong, S. H., Jang, M., Han, G. M., Jung, S. W., & Shim, W. J. (2017). Combined Effects of UV Exposure Duration and Mechanical Abrasion on Microplastic Fragmentation by Polymer Type. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(8), 4368–4376. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b06155

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In conclusion this padlet discusses the ethical issues and implications in a business environment of sustainable development goal 12. This Padlet highlights how businesses must address overconsumption, environmental degradation and resource inequality by adopting and implementing SDG 12 strategies.

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Main factors of importance revealed around the SDG and the selected targets is the critical importance of safe and healthy consumption and production patterns in which how intergrading these habits helps promote safer and better business environment not only at a individual level but at a company level by promoting efficiency, reducing waste, and fostering environmental responsibility.

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On a individual level to achieve said SDG goal switching from hard plastics to degradable products can help not only minimise land fills but solve many of the waste products that end up in our food chain and environment. According to (dcceew.gov.au. 2021, Australia) "uses around 70 billion pieces of soft “scrunchable” plastics including food wrappers each year". Switching to paper or bio degradable products will not only lessen the plastic problem but reduce the consumption of newly made plastics by finding "alternatives to the plastics we don’t need" in turn slowly helping Australians phase out single use plastics that might not end up recycled.

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It is key for corporations to be held and for them to hold them self's accountable to be ethical is there decision making. As is crucial doing so builds consumer trust, and ensures safer products and practices on a individual consumer level but on a social level ethical corporate behavior enhances social responsibility, strengthens collaborative relationships, and contributes positively to societal issues.

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What are the ethical implications for businesses?

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What are the ethical implications for businesses?

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For businesses involved in exporting waste, particularly hazardous materials, the implications are significant and vary:

1. Legal Risks: Many countries have strict regulations on waste management and exporting, hence why businesses can face fines and reputational damage for non-compliance.

2. Reputational Impact: Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of sustainability issues, so companies seen exporting waste irresponsibly may face consumer backlash, damage to brand image, and loss of business.

3. Operational Costs: Transitioning to more responsible waste management systems can increase short-term operational costs. However, the long-term savings from efficient resource use and the avoidance of fines or penalties outweigh these costs.

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Which UNSGDs and Targets are relevant to Exporting Waste?

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Which UNSGDs and Targets are relevant to Exporting Waste?

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1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

- Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.

- Target 12.5:*Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.

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Bautista-Lazo, S., & Short, T. (2013). Introducing the all seeing eye of business: a model for understanding the nature, impact and potential uses of waste. Journal of Cleaner Production, 40, 141-150.

Introducing the All Seeing Eye of Business: a model for understanding the nature, impact and potential uses of waste - ScienceDirect

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By decreasing the use of plastic and creating an awareness of its environmental dangers the overuse of plastic materials in products will be reduced. Currently only 13% of plastic waste is recycled (dcceew.gov.au. 2021, October 3). The 10 cent recycling scheme encourages people to recycle by using a reward system. More solutions like this will further encourage and motivate people to recycle as well as spread awareness.

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Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (2022). Corporate Governance Statement 2022 and Appendix 4G. LISTCORP. https://www.listcorp.com/asx/cwy/cleanaway-waste-management-limited/news/corporate-governance-statement-2022-and-appendix-4g-2765879.html

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According to the research (Lin et al., 2023), 40 million tonnes of waste was exported out of Australia to various destinations depending on the type of waste and the main issue is that these exported wastes has not been fully recycled by the importing country. The waste that was not recycled ends up in landfill in their respective exported country.

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dcceew.gov.au (October 3, 2021) Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Plastic Plan Summary, Facts about Plastic.

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/national-plastics-plan-summary#:~:text=Australians%20used%203.4%20million%20tonnes,leaks%20into%20the%20marine%20environment.

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"South Bass Island, Ohio, the study area for this project, is home to 525 year-round residents and a destination for 750,000 tour-ists each summer. Island business plastics use, limited waste management, and lack of visitor awareness about the negative SPECIAL ISSUE ON SEA GRANT: SCIENCE SERVING AMERICA’S COASTLINES AND PEOPLE effects of plastic pollution led to heavily littered coastal areas. Island residents, many of whom are local business owners, frustrated with the litter, decided to embrace strategies to reduce the amount of plastic pollution. As a place to start, owners and managers from the Boardwalk Family of Restaurants (BFR), the island’s largest restaurant establishment, decided to reduce single- use plastics in their restaurants, beginning with straws. In 2019, Ohio Sea Grant and BFR implemented a Skip the Straw campaign (SSC) focused on reducing plastic straw use." (Bartolotta &. Bixler, 2024)

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ENVIR. (2023, May 23) envir water serves group. The Importance of Waste Management for Business. Benefits of Effective Waste Management.\

https://envirowaste.com.au/the-importance-of-waste-management-for-businesses/

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IRP., UNEP (2024) UN Environment Programme. Global Resources Outlook 2024. Solid Waste Management

https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities/solid-waste-management#:~:text=Open%20and%20unsanitary%20landfills%20contribute,urban%20dwellers%20and%20the%20environment.

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The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with the modern economy is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected worldwide and decay of the organic proportion of solid waste is contributing about 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide. Of all the waste streams, waste from electrical and electronic equipment containing new and complex hazardous substances presents the fastest-growing challenge in both developed and developing countries.

Poor waste management - ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal -causes air pollution, water and soil contamination. Open and unsanitary landfills contribute to contamination of drinking water and can cause infection and transmit diseases. The dispersal of debris pollutes ecosystems and dangerous substances from electronic waste or industrial garbage puts a strain on the health of urban dwellers and the environment.

The solution, in the first place, is the minimisation of waste. Where waste cannot be avoided, recovery of materials and energy from waste as well as remanufacturing and recycling waste into usable products should be the second option. Recycling leads to substantial resource savings. For example, for every tonne of paper recycled, 17 trees and 50 per cent of water can be saved. Moreover, recycling creates jobs: the sector employs 12 million people in Brazil, China and United States alone.

The UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) in Japan supports the implementation of integrated solid waste management systems. Its work also focuses on the proper treatment of special wastes (electronics, agricultural biomass, plastics) in developing countries. IETC aims to optimize the management of solid waste by involving all stakeholders in the process through pilot projects at local level.

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The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with the modern economy is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected worldwide and decay of the organic proportion of solid waste is contributing about 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

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Jill Ferlinc Bartolotta and Susan M. Bixler. (2024) Plastic Pollution Awareness and Prevention Program for Coastal Businesses

SPOTLIGHT : Plastic Pollution Awareness and Prevention Program for Coastal Businesses - EBSCO

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Lin, Y., Nyunt, P., & Pickin, J. (2023). Australian exports of waste and recovered materials in 2021-22. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/abs-waste-exports-annual-summary-2021-22.pdf

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Melville, B. (2024, March 7). Phoenix uprising: Auckland council accused of “unethical” practice. Businessdesk.co.nz; BusinessDesk. https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/phoenix-uprising-auckland-council-accused-of-unethical-practice

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Businesses and corporations contribute a massive amount the waste and pollution in the world. "In the UK context, 25% of the total annual waste in 2004 was categorized as commercial and industrial (C&I), equivalent to an estimated 83 mt (million tonnes) (DEFRA, 2006)" (Bautista-Lazo& Short, 2013).

Waste contributions from businesses as a result has massive consequences. "The Environment Agency (2009) estimates 614 million cubic meters of available landfill capacity at existing permitted sites in England and Wales, enough to accommodate landfill requirements (for non-hazardous waste) for nearly eight years, at 2009 rates of disposal" (Bautista-Lazo& Short, 2013).

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While waste ultimately can't be avoided precautions can be put in place such as recycling. Recycling means that we are able to reuse materials and even energies. Finding solutions like recycling and using the effectively and efficiently will mean that items will not be as finite as worried as they could be produced from the recycled materials. With some energies being able to be recycled means that power sources could become more reliable, less damaging and less consuming of natural materials.

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Unethical accounting is when a firm does not fully record the day to day operations in detail, thus leading to misinformation. This causes the government to have inaccurate statistics. According to Siew et al., (2013), majority of the construction companies in the sample had poor levels of reporting and failed to meet the level of demand for transparency. This suggests that some if not most companies in Australia may have poor levels of reporting when it comes to waste management thus leading to an ethical issue concerning waste management. These companies may be purposely recording waste production and management poorly to involve in ‘greenwashing’.

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Siew, R. Y., Balatbat, M. C., & Carmichael, D. G. (2013). The relationship between sustainability practices and financial performance of construction companies. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 2(1), 6-27.

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Ethics and Sustainability - CT 11:30-2:30 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a critical modern, inclusive and highly sustainable framework for business to implement and follow. From reducing operational and investment risk to opening up new investments and market opportunity's. SDGs provide robust and solid goals for business to implement in there operations not only helping to explore new markets but increases and better there brand image among the public and there shareholders. By implementing SDGs into a business operational framework companies not only improve there social image and get ahead of present and future legislative law but are far ahead when meeting the requirements of a ever changing and social conscious consumer market.

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Our group will be looking at UNSDG 12, Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

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Anthony Mamos - s8082274

Noble Naing - s8119441

Enis Torgay - s4637856

Noah Ghasemimanesh- s8136774

Amitoj Gill - s8129168

Purav Chand -s8134390

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2. SDG 14: Life Below Water

- Target 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including waste management and plastic debris.

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Evolution of this ethical issue over time.

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Evolution of this ethical issue over time.

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Historically, waste was typically exported by wealthier countries to less-developed countries, to save costs. This had little regard for the environment or for social consequences. Over time this was reduced more and more due to growing awareness from environmental justice and human rights groups. Businesses are now under pressure to rethink their waste management strategies, with many adopting circular economy models to reduce the need for waste export and the ethical controversies that come with it

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An example of a company that has been dealing with unethical accounting practices, according to Meville (2024), is the Phoenix Recycling Group which was found to be involved in unethical practices where it was found to have inflated recycling statistics and mismanaged materials. Phoenix’s improper handling of recyclables and falsified reports caused inaccuracies.

These inaccuracies may have led to incorrect governmental data which could cause the government to be spreading misinformation to the public due to inaccuracies caused by one firm. Phoenix’s actions do not align with the UNSDG 12 to ensure sustainable production and consumption.

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Importance and Benefits of Effective Waste Management 

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Importance and Benefits of Effective Waste Management 

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Effective waste management is pivotal to reducing waste contamination towards ecosystems and lessens the strain on natural recourses. Businesses' recycling materials will conserve raw resources and also reduce greenhouse gas, soil contamination and water pollution.

Another positive of effective waste management is that it will increase a companies positive reputation and shows that it takes CSR seriously. This could bring interest to environmentally conscious customers, business partners and investors

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Another negative factor that could come from exporting waste and waste storage is poor waste management. Annually an average of 11.2 billion tons of waste is collected. Between the years of 2020 to 2021 'Australia generated an estimated 75.8 million tons of waste' ( Pilbersek. 2022, December 22). Pollution like air pollution, water and soil contamination is mostly caused by insufficient disposal and or a complete lack of collections systems. Unsanitary landfills cause most of the contamination in drinking water and can cause infection and disease. Electronic waste and industrial garbage creates disastrous consequences for ecosystems and strains the environment and urban areas(UN Environment Programme).

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The ethical issues associated with UNSDG 12.5 revolve around the responsibility of individuals, corporations, and governments to minimize waste generation through sustainable practices, addressing concerns of overconsumption, environmental justice, and accountability.

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3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

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What can organisations do differently to try and reach the SDG 2023/2050 aim?

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What can organisations do differently to try and reach the SDG 2023/2050 aim?

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To fast-track the process to meet or exceed the UNSDG's aim, businesses can adopt ethical approaches such as:

1. Circular Economy Adoption: Companies can invest in processes that prioritize reusing materials and eliminating waste altogether. This involves rethinking supply chains to ensure materials are kept in use for as long as possible. Research has shown that businesses adopting circular models are not only more sustainable but also improve operational efficiency and profitability.

2. Sustainable Packaging and Waste Minimization: Redesigning products and packaging to be biodegradable or made from recycled materials can reduce the need for waste disposal. Innovations in biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly materials are helping businesses move away from wasteful practices.

3. Technological Innovation in Waste Processing: Investing in advanced waste processing technologies, such as plasma gasification and chemical recycling, can reduce the volume of waste needing to be exported. Technologies that can convert waste to energy or back into raw materials support sustainability efforts .

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In the recent years, Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (2022), has addressed an ethical issue of fraudulent behaviour by developing the ‘Whistle Blower Policy’. This policy allows for any of the employee in the company to file a complaint which will be inspected by the Audit and Risk Committee to ensure the ethicality of the waste management company. Allowing the employees to report suspicious actions which may revolve around unethical practices reduces the chances of the unethical practices occurring in the first place. Therefore, not only unethical accounting may be solved with the implementation of the Whistle Blower Policy, but all possible unethical practices in the business can be cleared.

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The purpose of this group Padlet is to identify and explain the role and impact of selected SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) within a business context. It aims to explore how each SDG relates to real-world issues and challenges, and how they influence business practices and decision-making.

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1. Investing in Domestic Recycling and Waste Processing Facilities: A study done by Geyer et al.(2017) found that only 9% of global waste has been recycled, with the rest either being dumped into the environment or into landfills. Enhancing recycling and waste processing facilities will significantly reduce waste.

2. Public-Private Partnerships for Waste Management: Research done by Pan et al., (2020), shows that co-development between businesses and governments can better waste-management systems that are capable of meeting a global standard. By joining resources, it would be beneficial for both parties, rather than attempting to fix this issue individually.

3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Schemes: According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, (2022) EPR programs are an approach to better managing the impact a product or resource has on the environment. EPR programs hold manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste. This would incentivize businesses to design products that are easier to recycle or dispose of ethically.