Final answer:
Organizations are increasingly committing to environmental protection by reducing disposable plastic usage, thereby addressing sustainability and plastic waste issues. Consumer influence and international advocacy and treaties also play a role in fostering environmental values across various sectors and global trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
When organizations such as restaurants and retail stores make decisions to eliminate plastic straws and bags, their concern is directly related to their commitment toward environmental protection. This trend is reflective of a broader, global recognition of the need to address sustainability and reduce the plastic waste that is contributing to the growing problem of landfills. With 40% of plastic being single-use and then thrown away, the initiative to avoid these disposables is a step towards preserving our natural resources.
Furthermore, consumer choices have a significant impact on encouraging companies to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. This is seen in the actions of environmental advocates setting standards for products, aiding in the pressures that consumers can apply to companies to uphold environmentalist values. International organizations such as the United Nations promote these values too, through sponsoring treaties that target global environmental concerns. Additionally, cross-border and regional environmental agreements, and the increasing awareness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) around environmental issues, exemplify the integration of environmental protection into various aspects of governance and commerce.