Corporate Waste Management: What practices do leading MNCs’ implement?

Abstract

Waste production and management is a topic of great social and political interest given its link to environmental deterioration and current trend towards sustainable lifestyles. In this context, corporate behaviour, especially of multinational companies (MNCs), is looked at. The objective of this study is to assess MNCs’ waste management (WM) policies, identify which type of waste companies prioritise and, based on this, ‘best practices’. Based on the qualitative analysis of practices implemented by four MNCs ranked as sustainability leaders, findings show companies focus on emissions and solid waste. Techniques applied involve transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, replacing plastic and implementing recycling schemes; focusing on the main type of waste generated. On the other hand, efforts towards better water use and wastewater generation are not widespread. The study contributes to existing research about corporate sustainability, specifically on WM, and provides examples for companies introducing or improving their WM policies.