Assignment Overview This is an individual assignment. Through this research assignment you will explore the relevant sustainability literature and become familiar with the specific context and sustainability priorities for your sector. You will also identify the maturity level of Canadian businesses in terms of sustainability and make recommendations for improvement. The Scenario You are working for a Canadian company from a sector of your choice (agriculture, manufacturing, services, telecommunications etc.) based in Ontario. Jackie, who is the owner and CEO of the company, was recently invited to a conference and heard a very inspiring talk on sustainability and how it was becoming the "new normal" for businesses in the 215t century. She would like her company to do more about it, but she is not entirely convinced that there is a business case and she is also afraid that this could be something very difficult. Jackie remembered that you had some training in CSR and assigned you to research the matter further. She asked you to prepare a short research report on what sustainability is and how it relates to your company, so that she can decide whether to further pursue the matter. The Content After some thought you decide that your research report should answer the following questions so that Jackie can make an informed decision: 1. What is sustainability and CSR? 2. What THREE sustainability challenges are most relevant to businesses in your sector in Canada and/or Ontario? Why are they relevant? 3. What are Canadian businesses in your sector doing to manage those challenges? Please provide a description of THREE companies demonstrating best practices. . Based on the above, describe THREE sustainability actions you would recommend your company undertake considering your research.

RESEARCH REPORT IN BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY

Step-by-step explanation

Introduction 
What is sustainability and CSR
Sustainability in business refers to conducting business without having a negative influence on the environment, community, or society as a whole. Debating whether or not to incorporate sustainability into your business strategy is no longer an option in today's ever-changing environment. When designing corporate strategy, taking a values-driven approach might be critical to long-term success. A sustainable business plan strives to have a beneficial impact on one or both of these areas, thereby contributing to the solution of some of the world's most important issues. Business sustainability can contribute to the overall prosperity of an organization Spending more money on sustainable business practices may seem contradictory in terms of increasing a company's profitability, yet studies show that the most sustainable organizations are also the most successful. Some of its benefits to a business include 
?The businesses brand will be protected and the risks mitigated
?It will help attract a motivated and driven workforce
?The market for sustainable goods and services is increasing
?Collaboration with other companies will drive change for your company
Sustainability does not imply foregoing income or putting success on hold. Instead, it has evolved into a critical component of any successful organization's strategy. Profitability, expansion, and employee retention are all negatively impacted by a company's failure to consider sustainability issues. You can achieve success because of sustainability rather than in spite of it if you incorporate sustainability into your business strategy.
CSR, or corporate social responsibility, is a company's commitment to environmental and social sustainability, as well as being good stewards of the environment and social landscapes in which they operate. Giving back to the community, participating in philanthropic causes, and providing positive social value are all goals of corporate social responsibility. Businesses are increasingly turning to corporate social responsibility (CSR) to make a difference and develop a positive brand. CSR implies that you're a company that cares about broader social concerns than just those that affect your bottom line, which will attract customers that share your beliefs. As a result, operating sustainably makes good business sense. 
Canadian businesses have sustainability in terms of the ability to meet the needs and expectations of the customers. Additionally, they balance this with effective management of organization by organization staff awareness. The satisfaction of the customer can be achieved in the following ways
?Identify problems and improve the effectiveness of specific risks with the organization
?Assess the customer satisfaction
?Implement strategic objectives.
There are several ways in which one can improve sustainability. The Canadian business need to do these actions in order to improve their sustainability
1.Reduce energ6 by using renewable energy
Be aware of the amount of energy the organization is using. This will help to identify the areas where change is needed. The smart meter can be very helpful in this. Essentials such as lighting, heating, and electrical appliances are perhaps the largest users of energy in office-based workplaces. If your building has a lot of windows, take use of the natural light and think about whether you really need to turn on the lights. Replacement of existing lighting with newer, more energy-efficient options, such as LED bulbs, could be a significant change.
2.Reduce the waste
Regardless of industry or company size, every firm generates various amounts of garbage. What counts is how they reduce their output, whether it's cardboard, plastic, or even electrical products. Find the best solution for waste disposal that will jeep the environment conducive for clean work. Reducing waste will also ensure that these businesses are able to deliver quality work because of improved efficiency.
3.use sustainable materials in your products, packaging and marketing
Another way Canadian businesses improve sustainability is to use sustainable packaging. Businesses wishing to improve their packaging practices have a plethora of possibilities. Here are a few examples to get you started:
?Biodegradable packing 
?Cornstarch packaging 
?Recycled paper and cardboard
?Organic fabrics
4.use local and sustainable suppliers and partners
Canadian Local sourcing has a number of advantages, including lowering your company's environmental impact because couriers don't have to travel as far. It's also a wonderful method to take advantage of local chances. A local entrepreneur may produce just the product or solution the firm requires Partnering with local vendors may boost companies' brand while also helping to support Canadian neighborhood.

Our JV electronics enterprise has some priorities in sustainability. Chemicals can be prevented from entering electronics in the first place, or appropriately removed once a product has reached the end of its life cycle, by employing sustainable electronics principles such as Green Engineering. Sustainability of our company will endure to protect people and enhance human health and wellbeing. Additionally, the environment with not experience adverse life cycle impacts of devices, infrastructure and services. The chemical in the electronics seep into the environment and van be very harmful. This is why having the best protection system and prioritizing sustainability can help improve and grow our company.

What three sustainability challenges are most relevant to businesses in your sector in Canada and/or Ontario? Why are they relevant?
1.Management of electronic waste 
Waste from electronics become critical to the way if living. The obsolete products are highly discarded on Canada which is alarming. The challenge now becomes the management of this electronic waste. 85% if the electronic waste discarded end up in the landfills. This becomes a pollution to the environment. This waste has proved to be a challenge to get rid of.
2.Increased risks to human health
The waste that is discarded from the waste contains heavy metals and chemicals. Both of these are not fit for the human well-being. The human is at risk through the air and water. This is because these are things that everybody uses on a daily basis. When this waste goes into the landfills it becomes diffic7lt to avoid the effects on the human health. The challenge here us reducing the use of heavy metals and chemicals, by recovering useful elements from the waste and protecting the human health
3.Retaining the original value of the electronic
The material once they become waste is of reduced value will be of less value. This means that it will not bring any profits back to the company. As much as we would like to avoid disposing this waste, we also do not want to spend more money in sustainability in terms of ensuring that we recycle the product.

What are Canadian businesses in your sector doing to manage those challenges? Please provide a description of three companies demonstrating best practices
Electrobac
This is one of the company's that is excellent in managing the waste products from electronics. This company enhances sustainability by reducing the waste and managing it. The aim of this company is to protect the planet by promoting the circular economy for electronic waste. They have involved the companies in this business as well as the community so as to ensure have collective effort and maximize the efforts too.
Bourget Jr recycle Inc.
This company collects and resells the electronics waste disposed by other companies. By doing this they aim to reduce the landfills and also protect the human health. Most of the companies get rid of their electronic waste products despite the probability if being recyclable. The reason is that they are avoiding the reduced value of the product. For this company collecting and reselling the useful waste that can be recycled is a resource and their source of return. However, the benefits by this company are very essential and helpful to the community as well as the environment

Flex cycle recovery management limited
This is a Canadian electronics recycling company that operates on Ontario. It provides its services to customers by providing them with a comprehensive waste management services. These services focus on green electronic recycling, waste disposal, hard drive data destruction and shredder and resource management strategies. Their core values include environment protection, information security and resource integration. Their model is a sustainable junk removal, waste recycling and no landfills initiative. They operate in a mode of bidding. This is because they want to avoid burning and dumping to reduce the effects of ecological pollution and climate change.
Based on the above describe three sustainability actions you would recommend your company undertake considering your research
Selling of waste products to a recycling company
The selling of the waste products would ensure there are no landfills. The repercussion effects are there will be no environmental pollution and also the human health will not be at risk. Additionally, selling this waste instead of throwing away is another way of making revenue for the company.
Implementing green electronic recycling
This is where the company will have to invest in recycling the waste from the company. The electronic waste will be recycled and used in a better way within the company or sold to other company for usage. Either way there will be minimized risks that comes with carelessly disposing the waste to the land.
Partnering with a disposal company
Deciding to implement the proper waste disposal strategies may take up more money and resources that our company might not afford. However, there are several companies in Canada that operate in this business. Their whole business plan is based on this focus. Partnering with them would ensure that the company is sustained and no environmental damage. Additionally, the people will be taught on the importance of sustainability by ensuring no landfills