The chapter discusses three approaches to managing environmental costs. Some strategies deal with hazardous waste only after it has been produced.
a. Does a firm have any ethical obligations not to produce hazardous waste regardless of how successfully it is dealt with by the firm?
b. Assume that you are a key financial adviser in a firm that produces a large amount of toxic waste and that faces severe financial pressures and risks bankruptcy. By improperly disposing of certain waste materials, your firm could save millions of dollars, avoid bankruptcy, and preserve 10,000 local jobs. What action would you recommend your firm take? Explain the rationale for your answer.