Enterprises can impact on the environment in a number of ways: (a) Use of raw materials Excessive use of raw materials when producing goods can use up limited natural resources such as oil, metals, timber and fish stocks. All enterprises need to use natural resources sustainably. Goods should always be designed for reuse and recycling after they have been used.
(b) Pollution
The production and distribution of goods can cause pollution. Burning oil and coal for electricity and transporting by road and air increases carbon dioxide pollution. This is causing climate change. Other forms of pollution from chemicals such as pesticides can damage human and animal health.
(c) Waste disposal Disposal of waste products into landfills or incinerators pollutes the air, water and soil. Environmentally sustainable enterprises design goods in a way which minimises waste in the production process and maximises recycling.
(d) Planned obsolescence This occurs where products are deliberately designed to wear out quickly or stop being useful after a certain period of time, so that consumers have to buy replacements. Producers sometimes design their products this way to try to make more profits. However, it is environmentally wasteful and also makes using goods more expensive for consumers.
Common examples of planned obsolescence: ¶
Did you know?
Sustainable development means living and doing business in a way that does not damage the environment for future generations.
Did you know? North American Indians have a saying:
‘Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise that we cannot eat money.’
Video game consoles that are deliberately designed so that consumers cannot play older versions of games on the new machines. This is intended to force consumers to buy replacements for their favourite games.
