Last week, we explored different ways of thinking about waste and how we might improve our practices. One key concept we discussed was cradle-to-cradle, which encourages us to view waste not as something to eliminate but as a valuable resource that can be reused or regenerated. This circular model contrasts with the more common cradle-to-grave […]
Why Cradle-to-cradle May Not Be The Solution Read More »
Developing a circular economy has become an increasingly popular idea in global policy, seen as a solution to environmental sustainability challenges. However, based on our most recent reading The Circular Economy at a Crossroads, we can see that this circular economy model has some issues. The major issue being that CE is often aligned with
The Central issue of Circular Economy Read More »
Though the idea of a circular economy, an economy that generates a loop of regeneration and reuse of items, seems like an ideal economy, I don’t know how possible it is right now for us (even though I wish it was). One striking part of this idea is that we will eliminate majority of waste
Is A Circular Economy Really Possible? Read More »
Learning about the circular economy in this class has shifted my own way of thinking about the issues of waste, value, and the systems we operate in. For most of my life, I was used to the idea that things were made, consumed, and discarded in a tidy and linear process. The circular economy flips
Rethinking Waste: A Personal Reflection on the Circular Economy. Read More »
The circular economy, based on natural efficiency, promotes an economic model where resources are kept in a constant loop, maximizing value and minimizing waste. This involves mimicking natural systems where materials cycle continuously, demanding a move away from our present linear economic model. This goal necessitates widespread changes, including the creation of long-lasting, recyclable goods,
Personal Reflection on The Circular Economy Read More »
Questions for this week: In what ways should aspects of our economy try to mimic the processes of nature? What would be required to implement such systems? Which social problems discussed in this class would these proposals fail to address, or even make worse? How could the circular economy, one of the major emerging economic
In this week’s picture, it is not as full as I normally see it. I do see lots of paper and tissue and other plastic items. I also see food remnants and other things that relate to the kitchen. It is important to highlight that this weekend, my family is still sick, and I also
Companies often rely on plastic to produce disposable items because it lowers packaging costs and boosts their profit margins. While they benefit economically from plastic use, they rarely take responsibility for the environmental consequences of its production and waste. Instead, the burden of managing plastic waste is shifted onto individual consumers, who are expected to
Companies’ Love-Hate Relationship with Plastic Read More »
It has been one month since I decided to do monthly check-ins with contact lens waste in my course contract. In the first photo included below, it shows my collected plastic containers from February (since I was collecting these for recycling at my optometrist office, as they collect them for reuse/ recycling). The second photo
One month of Collecting Contact Waste Read More »
We talked about shading and frontier economies this past week, and it made me reflect on the ways in which business externalize costs, especially in terms of environmental justice. Understanding these two concepts are crucial in recognizing how negative consequences of consumption are often hidden from us. Shading is when businesses focus on short-term benefits
Shading and Frontier Economies Read More »