I wouldn't say they do a bad job, more that they (perhaps correctly) don't care.
If something doesn't hit their bottom line, should a commercial company, who is predicated on providing shareholder value care about it?
Personally as distateful as it is, I think the only way to amke companies take proper account of externalities is regulation / law.
If you take the example of health and safety, or building regulations, there is a reason why those are (in many countries) enshrined in law and not done by companies spontaneously.
If something doesn't hit their bottom line, should a commercial company, who is predicated on providing shareholder value care about it?
Personally as distateful as it is, I think the only way to amke companies take proper account of externalities is regulation / law.
If you take the example of health and safety, or building regulations, there is a reason why those are (in many countries) enshrined in law and not done by companies spontaneously.