Is Apple a Sustainable Company - Research Paper Example

?Article Is Apple a Sustainable Company? URL: http www.green-buildings.com/content/782087-is-apple-sustainable-company The article discusses theimprovements that Apple Corporation has made in terms of sustainability since 2007. During 2007 the company addressed an issue with toxic materials found in Apple products. The organization is also using alterative energy to power some of their facilities. The prestigious magazine Newsweek ranked Apple #50 among green companies in America. Article 2: What the sustainability movement can learn from Apple URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/blog/sustainability-marketing-behaviour-change-lessons-apple This article talks about different sustainability topics associated with Apple computers. It states that the company has done a very good job of marketing its sustainability efforts in order to increase the brand value of the company. Another good aspect about the firm’s sustainability efforts is that Apple has been an early adopter of new sustainability technology. Article 3: Sustainability Faceoff: Microsoft vs. Apple URL: http://www.fastcompany.com/1650270/sustainability-faceoff-microsoft-vs-apple The article provides a comparison of the sustainability efforts of Apple and Microsoft. Overall the author believes that the sustainability efforts of Microsoft are better, but he does mention a lot of good things that Apple is doing in terms of sustainability actions. “The company claims that the new iMac and MacBook computers are already free of the toxic substances.” (Schwartz, 2010). Article 4: Responsible Supply Chain Leadership: Should Apple Just Do It? URL: http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/mar2012/responsible-supply-chain-leadership-should-apple-just-do-it The author of this article discusses the steps that Apple has taken since 2005 to improve its sustainability program. In 2005 the company established a code of conduct outlining expectations for suppliers. During the next five years the company took steps to enforce compliance of its supply chain responsibilities, it incorporated an internal control system, and established worker empowerment training. Article 5: Apple Inc. Making Progress on Sustainability In China, Though Workers and the Environment Still Deserve Better URL: http://www.joshuawickerham.com/2011/10/11/apple-update/ The article focuses on Apple’s sustainability efforts from the perspective of the importance of establishing good stakeholder relationships, social causes, and environmental efforts. One of the good things about the sustainability efforts of the company is that Apple integrates them into its production processes. The company has improved a lot its sustainability program in the People’s Republic of China. Article 6: Apple: Sustainability, Child Labor, Bribes and Suicide URL: http://www.caelusgreenroom.com/2011/02/15/apple-sustainability-child-labor-bribes-and-suicide/ The purpose of this article is to discuss the results of Apple’s 2011 progress report for Apple supplier sustainability. “The report offers several examples of Apple improving worker conditions, employer practices, material sourcing, and other changes in its supply chain, including a 24.5% increase in the number of independent audits on work sites in that chain.” (Caelusgreenroom, 2011). The firm has increased the number of sustainability audits to 102 per year. Part II: Company’ efforts to improve/promote environmental sustainability Apple is truly committed towards the use of sustainability practices into its operations. The company has done a lot of good things to improve its sustainability program. The firm incorporates sustainability throughout its entire supply chain. “We've learned that about 98 percent of Apple’s carbon footprint is directly related to our products. The remaining 2 percent is related to our facilities” (Apple, 2012). The company applies sustainability in its transportation efforts. The company designs products with less material, ships with smaller packages, and they are free of toxic substances. The company believes in the value of designing products that have the least impact on the environment. The greenhouse emissions of the company were reduced by 15% in 2008 (Apple, 2012). The products manufactured by the company exceed the energy star specification. The firm during the last few years has been designing products that are smaller, thinner, and lighter. The company also believes in elimination of harmful substances and raw materials in its manufacturing process. The firm also is using a lot of environmentally conscious materials in its manufacturing processes. “Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible” (Apple, 2012). The engineering processes of the company are designed to be environmentally friendly. The packaging of Apple products are smaller than other similar products produced by the competition. The organization is also fully committed towards the use of recycling programs. Approximately 2% of the carbon emissions of the company are associated with its recycling program. A lot of the products the firm manufactures utilize recycled materials. The batteries of the company Mac laptops and smartphones last a lot longer than the competition. Part III: Thoughts about the responsibilities (if any) companies have towards environmental sustainability Apple Inc. is one of the largest players in the computers industry. The firm generated during the fourth fiscal quarter in 2011 revenues of $28.27 billion (Golson, 2011). Such a company has a moral obligation to go above and beyond in their efforts to contribute to society by being socially responsible and integrating sustainability efforts in their daily operations. The world depends on the efforts of large corporations to improve the earth environment. The environment is considered one of the major stakeholder groups that multinational corporations such as Apple must attend to. When a company is making billions of dollars through the sale of goods the managerial staff should place emphasis on giving a little back to the community. There are many sustainability applications that can lower pollution, increase productivity, and incorporate green practices that are good for the environment. My analysis of six articles on the sustainability efforts of Apple proved that the company cares and that it has an effective sustainability program. Another great attribute for companies that commit towards incorporating sustainability programs is that the use of such programs can provide companies with a competitive advantage. The application of sustainability efforts also help companies build up their brand value. Customers today are very conscious of how the efforts of companies affect the well being of our society. I think that the government should create harsher policies and regulations to ensure that corporations invest more money in sustainability practices. The future of our planet depends of the ability of the corporate world to reduce the levels of pollution generated by industrial activity. References Apple.com (2012). The story behind Apple environmental footprint. Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.apple.com/environment/#footprint Bates, B. (2012). Responsible Supply Chain Leadership: Should Apple Just Do it. Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/mar2012/responsible-supply-chain-leadership-should-apple-just-do-it Caelusgreenroom.com (2011). Apple: Sustainability, Child Labor, Bribes, and Suicide. Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.caelusgreenroom.com/2011/02/15/apple-sustainability-child-labor-bribes-and-suicide/ Golson, J. (2011). Apple Records Q4 2011 Earnings of $6.6 B on $28.3B in Revenues, Tops $100 Billion in Sales for Fiscal 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/18/apple-records-q4-2011-earnings-of-6-6b-on-28-3b-in-revenue-tops-100-billion-in-sales-for-fiscal-2011/ Guardian.co (2012). What the sustainability movement can learn from Apple? Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/blog/sustainability-marketing-behaviour-change-lessons-apple Moloney, C. (2012). Is Apple a Sustainable Company? Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.green-buildings.com/content/782087-is-apple-sustainable-company Wickerham, J. (2012). Apple Inc. Makes Progress in Sustainability in China, Though Workers and Environment Still Deserve Better. Schwartz, A. (2010). Sustainability Faceoff: Microsoft vs. Apple. Retrieved April 15, 2012 from http://www.fastcompany.com/1650270/sustainability-faceoff-microsoft-vs-apple Read More