Plastics Case Study

Plastic is a product that we can’t live without anymore, or can we? Modern
consumerism is closely linked to plastic, and technological advancements have
allowed businesses and consumers to benefit from plastic-based products. Plastic
may have made our lives easier, however, an explosion in plastic uses combined
with the rise of global consumerism have resulted in a range of environmental
issues. Plastic waste and environmental issues are being discussed widely by
different stakeholder groups and the media, and often linked to the question whose
responsibility it is to solve the issues around plastic.
The main task of the assignment is to analyse the situation around plastic pollution
from a business ethics perspective and to critically discuss using the ‘tragedy of the
commons’ and ethical theories. You can discuss this from a global perspective or
focus on an Australian perspective. Please see below tasks and questions that you
need to address in your assignment. The case study assignment is organised into
three parts, an analysis, a critical discussion, and recommendation and reflection.
§ A ‘plastic tragedy’?

As part of your analysis, address the following points:
Ø Provide a brief introduction into the use of plastic.
Ø What are the key stakeholder groups and their interests?
Ø What are the key environmental issues around plastic use?
Ø In your analysis, consider the different ethical theories.
As part of your critical discussion, address the following points:
Ø What is the ‘tragedy of the commons’ theory and how does this relate to
environmental ethics?
Ø Do we have a ‘plastic tragedy’? Critically discuss in the context of your
above analysis (stakeholders, issues, ethics) and the ‘tragedy of the
commons’ theory.
Ø Do businesses have a right to use plastic and impact the environment for
the sake of economic success? Use ethical theory to justify your answer.
Ø Does the environment and its non-human inhabitants have rights on their
own? Or are the rights of the human population, especially consumers,
more important? Use ethical theory to justify your answer.
Ø What role do environmental groups play in highlighting the
environmental issues around plastic pollution and are these groups just
anti-business? Use ethical theory to justify your answer.

As part of your recommendation and reflection, address the following points:
Ø In your view, whose responsibility is it to act on the plastic issues to
prevent a further decline of the environmental quality due to plastic
pollution? And what kind of actions you think are needed. Explain.
Ø Which of the identified issues concerns you personally most and why?
Explain.
Ø Overall, how do you see the future with regards to the use of plastic?

In this assessment, you have the opportunity to analyse and discuss a current global
environmental situation from a business ethics perspective. The analysis part will
enable you to research and review the use of plastic, the views of stakeholder
groups, and the environmental issues associated with plastic. In the critical
discussion, you then will need to use the ‘tragedy of the commons’ and ethical
theory to critically discuss questions regarding the use of plastic and environmental
aspects. In the recommendation and reflection part, you will have the opportunity
to provide your personal views and reflections. Within your case study assignment,
please address the above listed tasks and questions, as well as support your text
with evidence.