Using waste as a resource is a concept that has been examined and used to find ways to re use materials for energy that would otherwise been thrown away. The downside on this concept is the fact that materials that are not used to be turned into energy do just end up in land fills and may sit without ever breaking down. The real problem is that products that are made to be recycled depend upon humans to actually initiate the hands-on recycling method and when people choose not to practice this, goods that are made to be recycled still end up in landfills. Designing all products for biodegradability is the solution for stopping waste and filling up land fills. Biodegradable products will be free of chemicals that preserve the products or garments from never degrading when they turn into waste. These textiles may be manufactured from recycled goods and natural fibers that do not emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
In the reading How Will We Conduct Business, using waste as a resource inspired me to rethink the way just recycling products over and over again may not be the only answer. Eventually products will turn into waste regardless of how many times the product has been recycled and made into different products. Producing endless amounts of goods that are made from recycled goods is not perfectly efficient. Creating goods that are made to decompose after a certain amount of time and that can be made from recycled materials is a better solution that I believe is feasible in today's society and for the future. This would be more beneficial to the environment when people who are suppose to recycle materials do not. The Earth would not have to pay the burden of the harm a product that is not biodegradable but was suppose to be recycled causes.
Optimizing rather than maximizing is a key part in manufacturing and designing goods that are 100% biodegradable. Preserving energy and saving fossil fuels is what biodegradable products help do. They maximize precious resources for the long haul. Over half over manufactured items quickly just turn into waste. Biodegradable items that are recycled will continue to benefit the world, but the items that are unfortunately just thrown away will not hurt the Earth. The quality of the goods will long lasting for the time needed to use the good. When they item is not longer used, it can be recycled.
Hey Larissa,
ReplyDeleteYou did a really good job explaining your concept. I do think the idea of producing all products to be biodegradable will help our environment move towards a sustainable future, however do you think that all manufactories would be on board with this idea? Do you think that the government should have a say in how products are being produced? Are you applying your concept towards the apparel industry or the interior industry? Did you think about how you would implement your idea to start the move of producing biodegradable products?
Manufacturers may only follow these guidelines if there are governmental restrictions and they are forced to. Yes, I believe the government should interfere and make regulations towards the apparel and interior industry.
ReplyDeleteLarissa,
ReplyDeleteGreat point on recyclables relying on humans. Your concept of biodegradable products is very interesting and will be a great sustainable change to the environment. Maybe they could even act as fertilizer to the ground and used in fields instead of chemical fertilizers. Do you think consumers will respond well to products that are biodegradable? Some might think that because they are, they will easily fall apart. How could you encourage people to purchase the goods?
Hi Larissa,
ReplyDeleteI think this is something that would be very helpful to the environment. I think you explained it very well, but I think this might be a tough one to implement for some products. As for being 100% biodegradable, what do you think would be an appropriate timeline for considering something to be biodegradable? If it takes a product 150 years to completely break down should it still considered 100% biodegradable?
Laura, I see your point on the 100% biodegradable timeline...not sure yet, I suppose I need to clarify that more in my paper and come up with some sort of timeline. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteKelsey,
ReplyDeleteI suppose consumers would eventually get use to the idea of biodegradable products, and yes they may not be as durable because of how easily they may break down over 5-10 years
Larissa,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your blog this week. I like how you simplified what biodegradability meant and how this transfers to the production of clothing. I really appreciate your analytical view of using recyclable goods. I like that you gave us the non-efficient look at recycling. Creating goods that decompose after a specified period does sound more effective in the long run. In the push toward being environmentally conscious, we have to recognize that people do fail to contribute to the betterment of our planet and figure out how to overcome this issue. Your concept helps combat the issue of poor consumer behavior.