First Advisor

Brenda Glascott

Date of Award

5-28-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business: Marketing and University Honors

Department

Business

Language

English

Subjects

Social responsibility of business, Sustainable development, Plastic scrap, Entrepreneurship -- Environmental aspects, Waste minimization

DOI

10.15760/honors.952

Abstract

This thesis paper addresses the potentials of a business model for promoting compostable alternatives to single-use plastic products. This thesis paper also proposes a survey to collect data from businesses in Portland, OR to forecast the potential impacts of integrating such a business model. Impacts of this business model for compostable products are hypothesized as best-case, mid-case, and worst-case scenarios of integration within Portland’s total market potential. Impacts will also be assessed along the triple bottom line. The triple bottom line is an accounting framework used in sustainable entrepreneurship to measure impact along environmental, social, and economic standards. First, in terms of environmental impact, every compostable product sold is the equivalent to a single-use plastic product not contributing to plastic waste pollution and CO2 emissions. As a forecasted result of environmental initiative, this study predicts to also make social impacts for participating businesses. As a result of an increase in social ratings from greater perceived corporate social responsibility, this business model also forecasts to bring positive economic impact to participating distributors.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33554

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