College of Business Administration

Social and Ethical Issues in Business

Paper Recycling

GROUP MEMBERS:

Rania Elbanna
Dan Newland
Mark Weiberger

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Although paper recycling has long been recognized and implemented by many communities and businesses today, our research found a large number of businesses are still not recycling. Our suspicions were found to be correct in that as with any social or environmental movement, such as paper recycling, there are leaders and there are followers. Therefore, our project focused primarily on those who may be the last ones to come on board in paper recycling. The mission statement of our project was to encourage recycling among small businesses in the city of San Diego that are not yet using a paper recycling program.

We feel a recycling program is important due to the following reasons: First, we are producing more trash than ever before leading to what many consider to be the 'Garbage Glut.' Second, the amount of landfill space we have is diminishing. Third, itŐs the logical thing to do. Fourth, it is perceivably cheaper, therefore making it more economical. Finally, it helps to save our natural resources, by preserving rainforests and timberlands.

Our paper recycling project went through five stages. First, we investigated the need for paper recycling among small businesses. Next, we studied the methods of how paper recycling programs work in the San Diego area. The process consisted of three simple steps. Further, we located small business that do not recycle. Through surveys, we examined 150 local businesses presumably without a recycling program, and found approximately one hundred of them that could be targeted. Then, we began contacting those one hundred small business personally or through the mail. The final stage of our program was to assist three businesses in implementing the program. As a result those who participated have a well-organized recycling program.

In deciding to do a social change program on waste paper recycling, we had to take into consideration what the ethical reasons were for doing such a program. We determined that there were four main reasons why a recycling program is necessary. The first reason is utilitarian, due to the fact that it serves the greatest good for the greatest number. Secondly, we determined it to be deontological, because it rules out the practice of continuing to waste paper. In addition, we found Social Contract Theory to be the most useful, since it deals with the issue of compliance. Lastly, we have included the Land Ethic, for its applicability at face value in that it confronts the problem of doing harm to the environment.

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