When thinking about what I use on a daily basis, I thought about my phone. I currently use an iPhone which is a product of Apple. It got me thinking with all the phones being made each year and how much of an impact it has on people; with line across blocks and just about everyone having one. What is apple doing to ensure its ethical code is being followed as well as the law while keeping its customers/stakeholder & the company happy.

In 2021 apple made and effort to support and fight against systematic racism, while also hiring more females and giving them the pay they deserve. This is a great move to show case how important and how serious they take social responsibility most companies are still underpaying and hire women as well as people of color. As a woman and person of color I truly appreciate their effort and future investment in changing this narrative.

When it comes to combating their corban footprint apple does a great job. They now have started recycling their products to use to build new ones. Apple is the one of the first global companies to get to a zero net carbon and their goal is to fully fulfill that by 2030.

Although Apple Inc. has many great traits, they are not excluded from being in the hot seat. As most of us are familiar with large corporation favor doing business overseas, mainly in China, and that has caused serious backlash. China is known for their mistreatment of its employees and that has caused quite a concern in certain parts of the world. Apple is also still under how water with a lawsuit against them regarding the force of updates leading customer to buying new phone because of battery draining after it’s updates.

Overall, from all the information I’ve gather on my research Apple needs to fix a few of their ethical thought processes regarding its overseas ties with their labor practices and think about the effects it’s having on people. Other than that, environmentally & socially I think they are on the right track, and I can’t wait to see them continue their effort to combat against corban dioxide.

Business 104: Introduction to Business

BMCC

Brandon Becerril

The first company that came to mind when thinking about this topic was Nike.  I chose Nike for a couple reasons with the first being I recently was at the outlet store and bought a few shirts and a sweatshirt.  The second reason is because they can be such a polarizing company in terms of ethics because of their use of sweatshops overseas.  For that I wanted to do a deeper dive into Nike to find out how socially and ethically responsible they are and if they have made progress since the sweatshop scandal in recent past.

Nike is well known for its unethical manufacturing and employee exploitation, so I did some research and found some articles on Nike and its performance in those areas.  The consensus was mixed with showing some progress in places but also found some bad spots where they even swindled consumers into purchasing “green” products.  From being on the forefront of the “United Against Sweatshops” Nike made great progress since the 90s by changing their business practices, allowing transparency into their overseas warehouses, raising wages and age limit to work in factories.  Even Morgan Stanley ranked them, “the most sustainable apparel and footwear company in North America for environmental and social performance, including its labour record.”  Which is high praise for a company decades earlier was on the chopping block for being the worst.

Regarding labor rights and employee empowerment Nike can use some work.  In 2017 the Labor Rights Forum found the company stopped following the Workers Rights Consortium.  This stopped activist from labor rights communities auditing their warehouses and factories. The Workers Rights Consortium or WRC for short effectively monitors companies and their working conditions in factories, labor conditions, and empowers workers.  Another infraction was back in May 2023 Nike was hit with a lawsuit over alleged sustainability and “green” products.  Nike made claims that certain items were being broadcasted as green but in reality was not which is completely unethical and caused a huge hit to their green stock with consumers.

Nike has recently added female empowerment to their advertising campaign and products like the signature shoe deal with Sabrina Ionescu.  They are also trying to be more ethnically conscious by offering Nike brand head coverings and hijabs for those who practice religions that don’t expose their hair.

If I could give Nike advice, I would tell them to piggy back off of many of their signature athletes and what social and ethical battles they continue to fight.  The Lebron more than an athlete was a nice campaign and using more of their athletes to combat issues of racial, sex, and religious discrimination would do well in many different communities.  Nike should also focus more on becoming more transparent when it comes to their factories overseas as they have been the forefront of that topic before, making a switch and shoring up their factories and making them better for their employees.  Finally working to become carbon neutral and implementing more “green” products can do very well for their PR.  Nike can surely afford to implement these changes and with doing them will likely pay dividends for themselves in the future if legislation changes regarding “green” products and for their image around the globe.

https://goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-nike/

https://www.workersrights.org/about/

Ryan Natiello

Professor Buckler

Bus 104

10/13/2023

When I first looked into this assignment it said to think of places you interact daily with, stores, restaurants, etc. At first, I had to think for a long time because there isn’t a store, I go to daily but a fast-food restaurant, and now that’s something I interact with almost every day. Quick and cheap, and most of the time it tastes good; but which one to choose? Well of course it has to be McDonald’s; I do live by one after all, so that is why it’s the one I eat from the most. Also, it’s always the easiest and cheapest thing to get on Uber Eats if I can’t go out.

Mcdonalds is one of the biggest fast-food chains in the world and one can argue it is the biggest of them all. Serving over 69 million customers daily in over 100 countries, McDonald’s brings good and cheap food all around the world. Mcdonald’s always comes in clutch when you are low on money and need a quick cheap bite with a lot of calories which some people say is a bad thing but if you don’t eat a lot like me and try your best to stay in shape it always comes in clutch. Mcdonald’s is known for its burgers and fries, but they have a variety of other menu items like chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets, they even have desserts like the iconic mc flurry; sometimes they can even have special items that are only available for a limited time. I think McDonald’s is a place that always going to be there when you need a quick bite.

Mcdonald’s is a reliable food source and if it wasn’t I don’t think it would be as big as it is. Mcdonald’s has given several ways to make healthier choices with their food for starters they offer a nutrition calculator so you can track your calories, carbs, protein, etc. They even have their nutrition facts on the menu and on the Uber Eats or Door Dash menus. Mcdonald’s also offers a lot of work; even for people who don’t actually work for McDonald’s itself. What I mean by this is people who work for Uber Eats or Door Dash often get deliveries from people who are ordering from McDonalds and that just goes to show how McDonalds can help people make money even if it isn’t direct. The company also hires a lot and goes out of there as a way to get diversity in their workforce, if you get hired by them you should be expecting to make between 8 to 12 dollars and around 9600 a year which isn’t terrible for a first job; I guess it depends on your situation. Overall McDonald’s hires around 200,000 a year worldwide which isn’t bad in my opinion. McDonald’s also has a charity called Ronald McDonald House Charities, it is a charity that helps families with sick children who have cancer for example with housing, meals, and more. They can help families that aren’t financially stable to travel for their sick child or pay for the procedures. 

Overall, after going through the information, I feel that McDonald’s is pretty good at giving back to the community for the most part and they do give people work and let them volunteer. The only thing I would say they can improve on is the pay they give to their employees. This is due to the fact that people who are later in life and have a family will struggle with the lower payment; sure, it’s good for the first job but I don’t think it’s reliable for later in life. I think the payment should be at least 15 dollars an hour; especially if they live in an expensive country. Like New York, if you live here, you will be financially struggling if it’s you live alone with no help and you only work at McDonald’s. 9600 a year might not be able to cut it for New York. I think people need to be paid a good wage no matter what job it is otherwise how will they live?

Starbucks’ Corporate Social Responsibility

I automatically knew that Starbucks would be the perfect company for me to do my CSR report on. I love Starbucks! I mean my entire family loves Starbuck, from gift cards to random surprise Frappuccino’s, Its definitely a business we invest a lot of time and money into. Founded March 30, 1971, in Seattle, Washington; Starbucks is an American multinational chain of coffee houses that has expanded globally. It is in fact, the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, with over 35,000 stores in over 80 countries. Millions of Americans lined up daily to get their freshly roasted coffee, lattes, refreshers, bagels, and the list goes on. Being the largest coffee house in the world can put a lot of stress and demand on a business. Lines form as early as 6am in some locations with heaving morning, lunch and evening rush; there’s barely any down time for these locations. This demand puts a strain not only on the supply chain and sourcing but its workers and the community it serves. It is Starbucks duty and responsibility to ensure they are being corporate socially responsible to their workers, supply chain, the environment, communities and humanity. Starbucks has made it a point to be on top and ahead of their CSR, they have been implementing numerous policies and practices to improve their social impact.

In the business world reducing your carbon footprint is the best thing a company can do for their corporate social responsibility. There are constant debates on the use of resources and the production of waste that businesses produce. Starbucks has taken a big initiative when it comes to their impact on the environment. The company focused on reducing its environmental footprint by implementing initiatives like reducing waste, using renewable energy, and promoting recyclability. When it comes to transparency, Starbucks is not shy at all. Since 2001, Starbucks has been publishing an annual report on their performance against key environmental, social, and governance factors (ESG). These reports are conducted by a third-party and go into detail on the achievements, and the improvements needed to be made based on that year. Amongst that report, Starbucks has also conducted and released several other environmental assessments to evaluate the company. The Environmental Baseline Report goes into details about exactly what resources Starbucks uses at what quantity, and how it impacts and can impact the environment as well as detailing their carbon footprint globally.

For decades, Starbucks has been committed to developing and implementing a set of green buildings and operations. Today Starbucks is a world leader in green retail currently operating over 1600 LEED certified stores. By 2025 Starbucks plans to operate over 10,000 greener stores globally. Starbucks does not only strive to conserve energy by building and operating in green buildings, but they also plan to produce sustainable packaging that would contribute to recycling. Since 2015 all Canada and US company operating stores operate on sufficient renewable energy. 

All suppliers that work with Starbucks are required to sign an agreement, in compliance with Starbucks supplier code of conduct and other specific standards. It includes the commitment to the welfare, economic improvement, and sustainability of the people and practices that produce their products. As well as adhering to local and international standard laws and regulations to human rights, and meeting or exceeding national laws and internal life standards for environmental protection. Such a detailed document specifying the code of conduct that Starbucks requires, it is a terrific way to cancel, highlight, as well as hold responsible suppliers for their behavior while conducting business with or on behalf of Starbucks. Starbucks is constantly audited, and this compliance is the one thing that is examined. The Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E) practice ensures that Starbucks is sourcing sustainably grown and processed coffee and is aimed to promote fair wages and environmentally responsible farming practices. Starbucks uses their C.A.F.E. practices while sourcing to promote their zero-tolerance standard for conversions of natural forest, also with this practice they are focused on ending deforestation.

In 1997 Starbucks founded the Starbucks Foundation originally it was established to fund the youth literacy programs in the US and Canada but today it invests in communities around the world. Providing employment, education, and food; The Starbucks Foundation has made an impact globally. The Starbucks program is active in 125 stores around the country and has assisted more than 4000 people experiencing homelessness enroll in a transitional housing program and receive services. Starbucks has also partnered with Feeding America and No Kid Hungry to donate food at the end of the day to feed those in need. Starbucks also has donated millions of dollars to numerous food banks around the world to help tackle the fight against hunger. In 2022 Starbucks launched their Global Community Impact Grant program which focuses on local impact in the communities that Starbucks operates in around the world. These grants support youth empowerment, social services, hunger relief, economic opportunities, and much more.

The Starbucks Community Service program encourages volunteering in communities to address issues that directly affect them. This program was launched in April 2010 and gives partners(employees) an opportunity to organize projects in their neighborhoods in conjunction with local nonprofit organization. Starbucks offers competitive wages, benefits, and stock options to its employees, including part-time workers. They also had programs for employee development and advancement.

Starbucks is doing a great job so far with their corporate social responsibility. They can continue to improve their CSR efforts a number of ways. Constantly updating their policies, reports and statements are great way to ensure accuracy and integrity with stakeholders. Some of the reports I found and was able to view were from 3 to 5 years ago. As a consumer or a researcher, I’d expect to find accurate up-to-date data. For a company that conducts so many audits and reports yearly most of the information available on their site and to the public isn’t updated. Starbucks can continue to expand their sustainable and ethical practices not only for coffee but for the other products they service like tea. They are doing a great job so far environmentally by transforming all their buildings to LEED certified, they can continue to set more ambitious goals for energy consumption and reducing waste. They are working on a fully recyclable cup; they can aim to create a fully recyclable set of utensils. Starbucks can improve their fair labor practices by establishing fair working environments for supply chain workers as well. The supply chain is the backbone to the business the employee that operate these supply chains are just as important as the partners. Advocating for better wages for partners would be a great way to boost morale and exercise CSR. The cost of living is increasing constantly, and a lot of employees have to get second jobs to cover cost of living. Starbucks can advocate for higher wages for their partners as a show of gratitude. Working those hectic shifts can become exhausting and discouraging a boost in wages or incentives for employees will improve professional behavior and performance. Starbucks invest a lot of money into their policies, test, sourcing, supply chain and nonprofit organizations but their partners(employees) take a back seat. Lastly Starbucks should conduct regular assessments to help evaluate and amend the CSR initiatives with the help of feedback, emerging issues and fluctuating societal expectations.

Sources Used:

• The Starbuck Foundation The Starbucks Foundation – Starbucks Stories}
• Starbucks – Fairtrade America
• Full Circle Full circle: Starbucks partner gives back to non-profit that helped her as a teen}
• Why Starbucks Is Inviting Social Workers Into Its Stores – Mother Jones
• The Starbucks Foundation – Starbucks Stories
• Starbucks Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Disclosures Starbucks Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Disclosures – Starbucks Stories}
• Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices | SCS Global Services}
• Starbucks Supplier Code of Conduct Supplier Code of Conduct (starbucks.com)}
• LEEED Rating System{ LEED rating system | U.S. Green Building Council (usgbc.org)}

Ethics and Social Responsibility Research Essay (Waste Management)

For this assignment’s topic I chose to do research and speak about my former employer Waste Management, for many different reasons. From what I saw there alone as an employee, I can say they do prioritize their social responsibility, and go to many lengths to ensure they are following ethical principles.

Philanthropy in the workspace and in the communities.

Although I no longer work for them, they still come and pick up my trash on Tuesdays and all the drivers and helpers are very friendly, and professional. The way the employees carry themselves in communities speaks a lot about the company’s standards. While on the topic of employee relations, WM has an employee assistance program that helps workers in need. As an employee you can opt to donate to this fund bi-weekly or monthly in the event one of your fellow coworkers may need financial assistance. It is not required, but many of my peers themselves donated to the fund and the workspace itself feels like family.

The Waste Management Charitable Contributions Program also has a history of commitment to the environment, community, and service, and giving back to people in need, and in their own words, “We think globally and act locally to make a tangible impact in the communities we serve through investments, events, and charitable giving and other initiatives” – www.Wm.com

The Thunderbirds (A non-profit organization in Arizona dating back to 1932), hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, announced the 2021 edition of “The People’s Open” and raised more than $3.8 million which was awarded to local charities. The Thunderbirds and The WM Phoenix open have raised nearly $100 million ($99,558,224) since 2010 when Waste Management was named title sponsor and in its history the Phoenix Open has raised more than $165 million ($165,604,790). Personally, I’m a big golf fan, so I was ecstatic to hear that I worked for a company that not only hosted its own PGA event but has an affiliation with the Thunderbirds. Names like Bing Crosby have been associated Thunderbirds and this organization has been around for nearly 100 years raising money for communities.

To this day, there are only 55 members of The Thunderbirds: it’s an elite membership in the Phoenix area. Bob Goldwater, one of the founding members, decided the group should host a golf tournament, and so the Phoenix Open was born. “It’s a charitable organization that — our only driving force is Thunderbird Charity. So how we work is all year we spend putting this golf tournament on, and our fiscal year ends at the end of May, and we take all the proceeds from our tournament and their moved over to Thunderbird Charity, and we have a 15-person board with community leaders on that board that decide where all that money goes … And we’ve given over $166 million as a direct result of the WM Phoenix Open.” – WM Phoenix Open: What exactly are The Thunderbirds? (golf.com)

Reducing carbon footprint and cutting natural gas emissions.

Waste Management has converted over 75% of their national fleet from diesel to LNG and CNG. (Liquified natural gas and clean natural gas.) I saw proof of this almost everyday as a mechanic, because on LNG trucks to get them started before you pull them into a shop, they have an O-ring sensor that must be covered up. A life cycle analysis shows that LNG and CNG and diesel heavy duty trucks shows that LNG and CNG will reduce the life-cycle green house emissions by 11.17 and 25.18% respectively.

These may seem like small numbers, but if every truck on the road were to cut down 11%-25% on emissions it would make an impactful difference in our environment. Their plan is to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 CHG emissions by 42% once we hit 2032, aligned with the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. WM is a leader in planting the seeds of a sustainable planet, and they are working everyday towards becoming a greener company.  They offer services to the public such as recycle and compost pickup as well, their drivers are committed to going far beyond the landfill.

Social responsibility & more about sustainability in our environments, volunteerism etc.

WM is by far one of the most dedicated companies I have seen when it comes to being socially responsible and fighting to become more environmentally accountable. When Hurricane Harvey hit in Texas, WM put people who lost their homes in hotels and had truck drivers on the road assisting with damage control and cleanup. An estimated 13 million people were affected, and 135,000 homes were damaged and destroyed when the catastrophe hit. Alongside organizations like The American Red Cross and AmeriCorps, Waste Management was on the forefront of the disaster.

WM also partners with the Wildlife Habitat Council which has been around for 30 years. By transforming land plots that they purchase into certified wildlife habitats; it promotes sustainability, wildlife preservation, and biodiversity. There are over a whopping 70 locations in the U.S. dedicated to preserving the habitats of animals. Here is what they do at some of these WHC sites around America:

‘Sun Valley – Southern California
Our Team at Sun Valley is caring for bees that were in poor health due to their living conditions. They will eventually be released into a nearby pollinator garden that can be used as an educational program for schools.

Twin Creeks Landfill – At Twin Creeks, — WHC’s 2022 Remediation Project Award Winner, 8,000 poplar trees help absorb leachate from the capped portions of the landfill. This prevents the site or remove leachate from the site by other means, providing environmental benefits to the area.

Abacoa Community Garden – Florida

WM operations in Florida have sponsored the Abacoa Community Garden for many years. The garden follows organic and sustainable growth practices to grow fruits, vegetables, wildflowers, butterfly plants, shrubs, and trees, and offers/hosts educational opportunities and events for people of all ages in the area.’ – WM.com/Impactinourenvironment

Conclusion…

From what is beknown to the public about Waste Management to having the inside scoop about how about how caring this company is about our planet and people alike, I’d say they do more than play their part when it comes down to the subject of the matter. Some objective recommendations I have to offer are possibly evaluating the current practices and identifying areas where continuous improvements can be made. They do a great job of fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, but I think continuous improvements can always be made in that area as well. WM stakes have also been trending in the stock market. As of today, October 6^th, they are up .35% and are worth 155.44 USD per share. They are gathering more investors by the day, and I feel as if though some good objective feedback on that would be to put a priority on their stakeholders, and customers alike. Finding ways to meet their goal of 42% less emissions by 2032 would be another recommendation I have. Maybe even considering investing in converting their fleet to fully electric trucks by 2030 which would give off zero emissions. Companies like Mack, and Peterbilt have already rolled out fully electric Refuse Body Trucks and collaborated with Republic Services to get these big rigs on the road. Overall, I would say this company is on top of being “for the people” and does a great job of pursuing environmental sustainability. I literally cannot think of a more ethical organization.

All submissions for our Unit #6 Ethics Assignment will populate below.