ENV 345 Week 5 Final paper

For the final assignment you are to utilize the knowledge gained over the past four weeks to discuss how economics can drive business practices to maximize profitability and environmental protection. For your Final Paper you are to construct a paper of at least six pages that addresses the interaction between business and the environment. To begin, define the concept of a cost/benefit analysis, and discuss the components of such an evaluation. Address what components are needed for a business to complete such an analysis and detail how both the costs and the benefits are generally determined. Additionally, make sure to address how externalities play into cost/benefit analyses. Next, choose one of the companies from the following list:

 Burgerville—burgerville.com
 gDiaper—www.gdiapers.com
 Image 4—www.image4.com
 Hycrete—www.hycrete.com
 Verdiem—www.verdiem.com
 Interface—www.interfaceglobal.com
 Eden Foods—www.edenfoods.com
 Hayward Lumber Corporation—www.haywardlumber.com  Ryzex Group—www.ryzexgroup.com

 New Leaf Paper—www.newleafpaper.com
 Seventh Generation—www.seventhgeneration.com  Stonyfield Farms—www.stoneyfield.com
 The Collins Companies—www.collinswood.com
 AFM—www.afmsafecoat.com
 American Clay—www.americanclay.com
 Teragren—www.teragren.com
 IceStone—www.icestone.biz
 Tesla Motors—www.teslamotors.com
 Prometheus Energy—www.prometheus-energy.com  Gridpoint—www.gridpoint.com
 Patagonia—www.patagonia.com

Then you are to research the company selected and discuss how their business strategies utilize techniques that save money and natural resources. As part of this analysis make sure to address the following concepts below:

1. Briefly summarize the background and operations of the company including a description of their goals and target market.
2. Analyze the environmental sensitivity of the company and specifically discuss what actions the firm is taking to limit their impact on the environment.