Which action best supports ABC expanding its processing capacity in sustainability terms?

• A. Expanding processing capacity.
• B. Reducing production lines.
• C. Outsourcing all operations.
• D. Increasing inventory only.

Answer: (A)

Expanding processing capacity in a sustainable way means increasing how much a company can process while improving efficiency and reducing environmental and social impact. The best choice does just that—it raises the system’s output potential, and, when done with sustainable practices, can lower the per-unit resource use, energy consumption, and waste, supporting long-term viability and stakeholder value.

Reducing production lines would shrink capacity, not expand it. Outsourcing all operations can transfer control of sustainability practices to others and may undermine ABC’s ability to enforce its environmental and social standards. Increasing inventory alone doesn’t enhance the capability to process more units; it simply ties up capital and could lead to other inefficiencies.