Talking Trash: Ethics, Sustainability, And Organizational Trust

In 1960 Americans generated 88.1 million tons (2.68 lbs./person/day) of municipal solid waste (MSW), by 2012 municipal solid waste increased to 250.9 million tons (4.38 lbs./person/day). The good news is that of the total MSW 5.6 million tons was recycled in 1960 and by 2012 the amount surged to 86.6 million tons. This real-world case (to protect privacy, names have been changed) chronicles the development of a strategic supply chain decision within a heavily regulated industry that is characterized by hybrid public/private organizations. It illustrates the importance of contract compliance and quality control assessment. In addition, it is heavily imbedded within the sustainability conversation. Finally, integral elements of the case are ethics and organizational trust, which, regardless of contract obligations, is essential in reciprocal relationships and community/customer support