RMLSB Assignment: Sustainable Innovation & changing the world, and Social Entrepreneurship & Social Inequalities

Please read the following carefully.

The resit assignment will account for 100% of your grade. You need to select one of the following topics and write on it.

1. Sustainable Innovation and changing the world

You will have to identify and analyse the recent literature on Sustainable Innovation with at least 20 unique academic references. You need to find the connections between the references to show how the recent literature has evolved and how our knowledge has expanded. You also need to show what do we still do not fully understand and what gaps lie in our knowledge. You need to find two examples in the real world (for-profits, non-profits, institutions, start ups, etc.) that are using innovation to address sustainability. You need to use these examples to show how innovation is important to achieve sustainability and how these examples help us fill the gaps you have identified above.

2. Social Entrepreneurship and Social Inequalities

You will have to identify and analyse the recent literature on Social Entrepreneurship with at least 20 unique academic references. Importantly, you need to focus on how entrepreneurship can help address social inequalities (income, gender, race, age, etc.), not on entrepreneurship for generating wealth (although that can be a side aspect, like in the case of hybrids). You need to find the connections between the references to show how the recent literature has evolved and how our knowledge has expanded. You also need to show what do we still do not fully understand and what gaps lie in our knowledge. You need to find two examples in the real world (can be either for-profit social ventures or mission driven hybrids) and show what social issues they are addressing and how. You need to use these examples to show why it is important to pursue social entrepreneurship to fill the gaps you have identified above. Remember that the focus is always on social issues and not start ups making money.

For either topic, you need to write 2800 words excluding references. You need to upload one PDF file with the front page, all the content and references.

Deadline: 28.07.2025 end of day.

For either topic, the idea is that you do the similar things you did in group and individual assignments of regular assessment, but together and in a more deeply connected manner. So it is suggested that you go back to the regular assessment criteria, look at them for inspiration, and then come back and reread the above requirements before starting your assignment.

*Group assignment completed (may be a source of inspiration) *

Driving Change: Group Assignment

Introduction

Millions of plastic straws are used and thrown away every day and many of them wind up in the ocean, ruining ecosystems and endangering marine life. A once-simple convenience item has evolved into a representation of unsustainable consumption behaviour. As proponents of environmental responsibility, we see the pressing need to address the harm that singleuse plastics cause to the environment. Since World War II, plastic straws have dominated the fast-food sector, first due to their cheap (Mosquera, 2019). Through the use of Life Cycle Assessment Theory, the Circular Economy Model, and Rational Choice Theory, we examine the scope of this problem and investigate workable, empirically supported solutions.

Origins & Prevalence

Plastic straws can be traced back to the mid-20th century when a range of circumstances led to the rapid global adoption of these single use plastics.

After World War II, mass production of synthetic plastics surged because they were no longer needed for military use. Advancements in this industry made plastics cheaper, more durable and easier to mass produce. With economic growth booming and consumer demand thriving, industries embraced plastics for its versatility and affordability. Plastic straws became lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive, appealing to businesses and consumers alike. Their growing availability set the stage for their dominance in the beverage industry (Mosquera, 2019). Parallel with the growth of fast-food culture, this played a major role on the emphasis on plastic straws. Companies like McDonalds, and burger king prioritised cost-effective ways of producing similar results. By leveraging plastic straws, they were able to create a cheap, durable and cost-efficient business model ensuring convenience for businesses and consumers. The fast-food industry’s rapid expansion solidified plastic straws as a global standard in beverage consumption, reinforcing their mass production and usage (Wong, 2019). By 1970, there was little to no consumption of paper straws worldwide. The transition to plastic as the default straw material was driven by its moldability and strength. (Gutierrez et al., 2019)

Theoretical Framework

By relating the problem of single-use plastic utensils to preexisting ideas and concepts, this theoretical framework offers the basis for analysis. Through our investigation, we have discovered theories that provide clarity to our sustainability issue.

The first theory as part of our framework is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) theory. A thorough technique for assessing the environmental effects of a product’s life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials through production, usage, and disposal, is life cycle assessment, or LCA. The application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to single-use plastic utensils brings to light a number of environmental issues, including resource extraction, production, use, and disposal, (Jiao, 2024).

The Circular Economy Model can be looked at here to discuss the possibilities of substituting plastic straws with the new paper straws. While there is much controversy on this topic with some individuals saying it is good for the planet while others saying they do not work sufficiently. However, we can still try to look at using the Circular Economy Model to promote replacing the current single-use plastic straws with alternative compostable options. These options can be evaluated by looking at the alternative approaches that have the potential to include straws within a broader “circular economy”, (Roy, 2021).

The last theory we want to include takes a closer look at consumer behaviour today, which is the Rational Choice Theory. This theory suggests that oftentimes consumers will still prioritize convenience and cost effectiveness over alternatives. Humans are aware of the environmental damage that plastic straws cause, however many will still prioritize their immediate concerns of affordability and effectiveness. The rational choice theory is also becoming increasingly popular across consumers today which leads us to believe that more and more consumers will want to continue using plastic straws, despite being aware of the environmental burden, (Archer, 2000).

Empirical Evidence

In recent years, many companies that may have traditionally used plastic straws in their beverages have decided to switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives. Perhaps among the most notable examples include Starbucks and McDonald’s.

Starbucks

In 2018, Starbucks announced that they would begin to phase out and ultimately ban the use of plastic straws by 2020 by using alternatives such as straw less lids or straws made from environmentally friendly materials. By using straw less lids AKA the sippy cup, they managed to reduce the number of plastic straws used by more than 30 million. Furthermore, in 2019, they switched to using FSC certified paper straws in the UK and Europe, (Ma, 2023).

McDonald’s

Also beginning in 2018, McDonald’s began phasing out the use of plastic straws by replacing them with paper straws in the UK and Ireland. At the same time, they had plans for all their product packaging to be made from renewable or recycled materials by 2025, (Mosquera, 2019). However, this was not as successful as perhaps it was in the case of Starbucks for several reasons. For example, their paper straws, while recyclable, proved to be too difficult to process and had to be collected and recycled separately, (Boucher, 2019). The paper straws were also met by criticism by many customers for being ‘not fit for purpose’ which resulted in several online petitions to bring back the plastic straw, one garnering approximately 57 thousand signatures to date, (38 Degrees, 2025). Similarly to Starbucks, they launched a straw less lid in the US in 2023 which eventually spread to other regions, which is in fact, currently used in Ireland, (Kiner, 2023).

Proposed solutions & Government policies and action:

There are several solutions that can be proposed to help reduce the use of single use plastic utensils such as strict bans and regulations, incentivising corporations to change to sustainable utensils and educating consumers on what needs to change with regards to single use plastic utensils as well.

1. Incentives & Tax Breaks
   Governments can take a softer approach initially of incentivising companies and organisations to make the switch from single use plastic utensils to more sustainable options using tax breaks and subsidising costs. This can help to reduce costs initially from making the switch and encourage them to make the switch as well, especially in small to medium sized companies who might not have the financial resources to change to more environmentally friendly options.
2. Strict regulations & Policies
   If the implementation of incentives cannot reduce the use of single use plastic utensils, Governments can introduce strict regulations and laws against their use. An example of this is the 10 Caribbean countries who banned styrofoam products completely. Banning these products works best when a) Adequate lead time is provided to allow companies time to switch and b) the provision of sustainable alternatives to allow for the change to take place
3. Educational Strategies
   Along with the regulations on single use plastic utensils, Education campaigns can be extremely important in helping consumers & companies understand the importance of making the switch to more sustainable alternatives. Through education, Governments can inform the public on why the regulations have been brought in and can also suggest more sustainable options to provide consumers with the information they need to make the switch.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaborations

1. Restaurants & Retailers

Retailers, restaurant chains, and fast-food chains are some of the critical stakeholders in the shift away from plastic straws. Plastic straws are still in common use because they are inexpensive and convenient, even though people are increasingly aware of their detrimental effects on the environment. Businesses can, however, adopt viable alternatives by collaborating with producers of green packaging and leveraging government subsidies.

To minimise unnecessary consumption, certain restaurant chains have implemented a “straw-upon-request” policy, while others have managed to substitute paper, metal, or biodegradable straws for plastic straws. Large-scale behaviour change can be promoted by offering rewards to customers who use reusable straws or by making biodegradable straws the default choice. By making substitutes affordable and advocating for industry best practices, multi-stakeholder collaborations, such as collaborations with NGOs and government institutions, can help make this shift even more viable (UNDP, 2017).

2. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Through the promotion of legislative reforms, carrying out research, and brokering partnerships, environmental NGOs play a crucial role in the battle to combat plastic pollution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in collaboration with the Aspen Institute, The Ocean Foundation, and Searious Business launched the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC), which is a huge undertaking. The U.S. Department of State is supporting this collaboration, established in 2023 and committed to international action to minimize plastic litter, including the phase-out of single-use products like plastic straws. Governments, industry, and civil society organizations collaborate through EPPIC to promote science-based solutions to minimizing, reusing, and recycling plastics (IUCN, 2023).

Through such alliances, NGOs can urge large industries, especially those in the food and beverage industry, to transition to reusable or biodegradable straws from plastic straws. Their lobbying also increases awareness among people and lobbies for more stringent laws prohibiting the manufacturing and sale of plastic straws.

Conclusion

The extensive use of plastic straws has led to severe environmental repercussions, particularly in marine ecosystems, where plastic pollution disrupts biodiversity and threatens aquatic life. In our research, we have investigated the historical rise of plastic straws, their ecological impact, and potential solutions. We argue that enforcing stricter regulations, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and encouraging businesses to adopt more sustainable practices are critical steps in reducing plastic waste. Additionally, government incentives and public awareness campaigns can play a key role in accelerating this transition. While challenges remain, the shift toward sustainable alternatives is both urgent and feasible. Addressing this issue is essential for securing a cleaner and more responsible future for coming generations.