3 Min Read
The world is a big place—or maybe not so much.
It can seem like our actions mean very little in such a big place, but really, every decision we make matters. Social responsibility suggests that we must consider the larger picture when interacting with our environments and those in that environment.
What is Social Responsibility?
Social responsibility is a theory of ethics that urges every individual or organization to act in the interest of the greater good. This requires us to think about the consequences our actions can have for others, and then decide whether or not that action causes the least amount of harm.
Environmental social responsibility is a little more specific. This form of social responsibility calls for both individuals and organizations to do their part to maintain a balance between the economy and the ecosystem. In other words, we cannot consume and produce in such a way that ultimately destroys the Earth.
This concept depends heavily on the idea that the decisions that we make can and do have an external effect on the environment and the human race—even if the outcome is not immediately visible to us.
What is Individual Social Responsibility?
There are many environmental issues to tackle from polar ice caps melting to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. These issues have many sources, but one thing is true about nearly all of them: human actions are often part of the problem.
But we can do better.
While human actions can contribute to these environmental issues, they can also be part of the solution. We can choose to make environmentally conscious decisions, and according to social responsibility, that is exactly what we should be doing.
We owe it to ourselves, our fellow humans, and our animal neighbors to protect the planet that we all live on.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
In 1971, the Committee for Economic Development introduced the concept of corporate social responsibility as a ‘social contract’ between businesses and consumers. It was argued that companies exist and function because consumers allow them to, and therefore, there is an obligation to contribute to the needs of society.
In terms of the environment, the needs of society include clean air and water, which can easily be polluted by irresponsible businesses that do not make an effort to produce and recycle products in an environmentally friendly way.
Companies have an obligation to ensure that they are not causing undue harm to their customers. With this in mind, corporations are often pressured to make environmental and health-conscious business decisions.
What Can You Do to Be More Socially Responsible?
You can start being more socially responsible for the environment by taking a look at your impact on the environment and figuring out ways to make positive changes. You can start small with recycling, conserving water, and lowering your carbon footprint wherever possible.
Companies can take similar actions.
These actions could be as simple as recycling and properly disposing of waste, figuring out new ways to make a product to produce less carbon monoxide, or making their products more easily recyclable.
Want to Learn More?
If you would like to learn more about how you can be more socially responsible and make an impact on the environment, please feel free to contact Cal Micro Recycling by calling 909-467-4800 or filling out our contact form.