What is one way corporations contribute to waste production?

Corporations contribute to waste production primarily by passing external costs to consumers. This practice often leads to an underestimation of the true environmental costs associated with manufacturing and disposal processes. When companies externalize costs, they may not account for the environmental impact of their waste generation, such as pollution or the depletion of natural resources. As a result, consumers may pay lower prices for products, encouraging overconsumption and, in turn, contributing to higher levels of waste production. This disconnection between production practices and environmental responsibility enables corporations to prioritize their profit margins over sustainable waste management, leading to increased waste in the long run.

In contrast, actions such as recycling materials internally, slowly transitioning to biodegradable options, or enhancing consumer education tend to mitigate waste production rather than exacerbate it.