Reading 6

Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

 Chapter 4 Pages 92 - 117

This whole chapter circulated about the idea of making waste into food.  This processing of recycling is something that we should revert back to.  The nomadic way of life was a healthy one for the people and the environment.  Our new ways have ruined us in the present and the future.

There are two different types of masses: biological and technical.  Biological masses deal with the biosphere and natural items, while technical masses deal with industry and are man-made.  These two masses can be reused or recycled, except for when you start combining two unlike materials.  

The rise of cities lead to sanitation problems world wide.  Even today, the "treated" sewage isn't really treated because it still contains harmful parts.  

It's sad that today people want to always be the first to use a new product they brought.  No one really wants to buy used items.  They want to be the first to use it!  "This virgin product is mine, for the very first time.  When I am finished with it (special, unique person that I am), everyone is.  It is history." (p. 102-103)  It's crazy that we all have that mentality in us.  Everyone seems to strive for it.

The creation of hybrid materials, like PET, seemed good in the beginning, but long-term they are bad.  They are unhealthy for us the consumers.  When the book mentioned about the mill that converted into a healthy environment to sell environmentally friendly fabric, it was crazy about the regulators.  The regulators couldn't believe that an industrial plant wasn't contributing harmful particles into the water.  When an item is compostable and safe for people, it seems easier to make a healthier and safer factory to product it.

The thing with technical products is when you melt them down, you can only combine them with the same item melted down.  This is help retain the original products quality.  Metals and plastics are prime examples of this.

They mention carpet are pages 112-113!!!

The end of the chapter made me feel scared to wear shoes again...flip flops it is...