The chosen company is Rothy’s, which is a US-based fashion firm. The establishment is often described as a direct to consumer firm. This means the organization prepares ready to wear fashion items, unlike other fashion companies that also offer runway specific clothing. It was founded in 2012 and has also been identified as one of the most ethical firms in the US. This essay looks into some ways in which Rothy’s has proven to be an ethical company.
According to the company’s website, all of its shoes are made from recycled materials (About Rothy’s, 2020). In particular, Rothy’s has focused on the use of plastic water bottles to make their shoes. One advantage of recycling is the fact that it helps reduce the number of artificial waste that has polluted the earth. Letcher (2020) explains that elastics are one of the most used yet dangerous materials in the environment. Not only do plastics not degrade but they have also led to massive loss of life. This is especially in relation to their impact on water/sea life. Arguably, Rothy’s has proven that it is an ethical company as it has so far removed over 25 million plastics from the environment and turned them into wearable shoes.
Additionally, the firm is morally competent as it uses environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. Vijay et al. (2018) argue that many companies in the manufacturing industry have contributed significantly to global warming through the use of traditional production methods. Indeed, today, there are several options that some firms have been using to curb this problem. For instance, some companies such as Rothy’s have changed the raw materials they use, to more environmentally friendly alternatives. Additionally, there are several green energy options that factories and manufacturing plants can use to lower their toxic gas emissions. Rothy’s manufacturing process aims to lower their carbon footprint to zero.
It is important to note that the company has also incorporated measures to ensure that all their products are sustainable. Vijay et al. (2018) explain that the sustainability of products is critical in the war against global warming. This is because such continuity ensures fewer production needs. On the same note, feasibility ensures that the raw products used are not depleted by constant manufacturing.
Apart from this, it is arguable that Rothy’s is an ethical firm due to the management’s treatment of its staff. The company is proud of offering fair and competitive wages and flexible working hours to ensure all its employees enjoy the long-term work-life balance. It is crucial to note that the ethical nature of the firm is not only in the way they produce their goods and services but also in the way they treat their staff. Proper benefits such as reliable medical covers, pension plans, and a respectful working environment are indeed the key factors in determining the moral stature of an organization. Interestingly, and according to the class notes, fairness is one of the most difficult ethical issues. Thereby, one can argue that Rothy’s is an ethical company by this standard.
In conclusion, Rothy’s can be described as an ethical company due to the various approaches it has employed to ensure it makes the world a better place. From how the management engages with its staff to the raw materials used to the production itself, the company has proven that firms can still be profitable even when they are ethical.
References
Letcher, M. T. (2020). Plastic waste and recycling: Environmental impact, societal issues, prevention, and solutions. Elsevier.
About Rothy’s. (2020). Rothy’s. Web.
Vijay, V., Yadav, K. S., Adhikari, B., Seshadri, H., Fulwani, K. D. (2018). Systems thinking approach for social problems: Proceedings of 37th National Systems Conference, December 2013. Springer.