Business Ethics
Though most companies commonly mentioned as examples of ethical and socially responsible organizations are large corporations, it is the socially responsible initiatives of small businesses that often have the most impact on local communities. These businesses generate jobs and provide goods and services for customers in smaller markets that larger firms that often are not interested in aiding. Additionally, they also provide money, resources, and volunteer time to local causes. Their owners often work as community leaders, and many choose to use their skills and the results of their successes in resolving many of the problems and issues that the community faces. One small business that does just this, is the New Belgium Brewing Company, based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
New Belgium Brewing Co. strives to lessen its impact on the environment. New Belgium invested in a wind turbines, making it the first fully wind powered brewery in the United States. It has also integrated a steam condenser that captures and reuses hot water used for boiling barley and hops to start the next brew. The steam …show more content…
It tries to recycle as many supplies as possible, including cardboard boxes, keg caps, office materials, and the amber glass used in the bottling process. New Belgium also stores disbursed barley and hop grains in an on-site silo and encourages local farmers to pick up the grains, free of charge, to feed their livestock. The company even encourages its employees to reduce air pollution by using alternative transportation. As an incentive, New Belgium gives its employees “cruiser bikes” like the one pictured on its Fat Tire Amber Ale label, after one year of employment and encourages them to ride to work. (Ethics,