Page 82 - Shashwat - Restoring Green Economy

Cover Story

80

held responsible for its safe disposal. not just have to rely on material
The polluter pays principle is part of sustainability – the ethical impact
a set of broader principles to guide can extend to their workers as well.
sustainable development worldwide By utilizing sustainable processes
(formally known as the 1992 Rio and materials, manufacturers ensure
1
Declaration). However, is it really that local ecosystems are affected
possible to determine the cost of an in the minimum possible manner.
ocean polluted with oil spills or the Sustainably sourced materials
extinction of an entire species due to may include recycled goods or
chemical pesticides? items sourced from another local
manufacturer. This reduces waste and
The answer to the aforementioned limits transport needs, which can have
question would be ‘No’. Even if a negative environmental impact.
industrial producers adhere to
the ‘polluter pays’ principle, they Some toilet paper companies plant
would do better by following ethical trees to replace the ones used for
manufacturing processes. their production. One of the leading
manufacturers Procter & Gamble
What Is Ethical (P&G) Co. plants a tree for each one
that is felled by them. It also pays to
Manufacturing? protect trees in other parts of the
world as a way of offsetting some of
Ethical manufacturing is a holistic its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
approach to the manufacturing P&G further states, “Every decision
process that focuses on good health we make is guided by what is best for
for all involved. This means that a consumers and the environment.
manufacturers is how to achieve product’s design, creation, and use P&G has committed to using recycled
an ethical status while improving can maintain sustainable standards. fibres where it can have the most
their business processes. In such a As a result, the products and the benefit for our consumers.” 2
scenario, wouldn’t it be justified and processes of making these have a
equitable to follow the ‘Polluter Pays’ positive impact on communities.
Principle? Businesses must create inclusive What Is Extended
environments that promote Producer
What is the sustainable production while Responsibility?
‘Polluter Pays’ benefiting the local community. The concept of Extended Producer
An ethical manufacturer has a
Principle? broadened vision and cares for Responsibility (EPR) is that the
every section of their business and responsibility of the producer
In simple terms, the ‘polluter their own supply chain, prioritizing of a product is extended beyond
pays’ principle states, ‘Those who the well-being of their customers, conventional sales to its post-
pollute should pay for the cost of staff as well as the environment. consumer or End-Of-Life (EOL)
the pollution they create.’ It is the Ethical production may include stage. This means that the producer
commonly accepted practice that material and energy use. Ethical is responsible for collection of
those who cause pollution should manufacturing businesses do the used products or packaging
bear the costs of managing it to
prevent damage to human health
or the environment. For example, a 1 The London School of Economics and 2 Porter Jr, Gerald. 2020. ‘You May Be
Cleaning Up in the Bathroom Using an Old-
factory that produces a potentially Political Science. 2018. What is the polluter Growth Tree.’ In Bloomberg Green. Details
pays principle? Details available at https://
poisonous substance as a www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/ available at https://www.bloomberg.com/
byproduct of its activities is usually explainers/what-is-the-polluter-pays- news/articles/2020-09-17/how-green-is-
your-toilet-paper-brand
principle/