Use What You've Got

According to the reading, Industrial Ecology Defined, “Industry ecology is the means by which humanity can deliberately and rationally approach and maintain desirable carrying capacity, given continued economic, cultural, and technological evolution.” Overconsumption is what I believe to be most people’s biggest weakness in most areas of life. Whether it’s the overconsumption of food, buying clothes you do not need or wear, or simply driving around town aimlessly while wasting and damaging the earth’s natural resources. Carelessness and lack of education are our main vices concerning sustainability issues; I believe if we all looked at how much we over indulge and ultimately waste because we make decisions daily caused on ignorance, we would be more aware when ordering food at Taco Bueno or impulse shopping at our favorite boutique.

The principles that stood out to me most from Benyus’ “Closing the Loops in Commerce” were to not drawing down resources and optimize rather than maximize. Not drawing down resources is the method I find most important because once natural resources are gone; there is no going back. Oil is one natural resource that stands out in my mind as a great loss we will face if we no longer have it one day. Benyus pleads that we not use nonrenewable resources quicker than we can develop substitutes. I think of all the times I’ve wasted oil and gas by driving long distances to go to my favorite store, when there was a closer store as an option. Also, before my hometown had got a Wal Mart, I would drive 20 miles to make a quick purchase that I could have done in my hometown or would make several trips a week because I went unprepared and forgot something. At the time, sustainability never crossed my mind. Nor did I consider the resources and money I was wasting by being careless. Simply carpooling to a local store can save energy and other resources we desperately need - every little bit makes a difference.

The second principle that stood out to me was to “optimize rather than maximize.” Whether it’s carpooling with friends to the store or school or cutting back on weekly drives out of town, the small changes and saving of natural resources will benefit us in the future. Like anything else, the longer you don’t use it-the longer you’ll have it. In both apparel and interiors, this principle can be utilized. Whether it’s a couch that turns into a bed or dress that can be worn as a skirt, designers have found ways to conserve energy, space, and resources. Apparel products can be used many ways and serve many purposes such as old t shirts being cut and used to create a rug or old jeans used to make a purse or bag. Simply creating another purpose for something you already have saves a resource otherwise used. Recycling is the major them behind these ideas because the concept is to reuse what you would otherwise throw away. Our issues with waste would diminish at a great rate if only we used what we already own efficiently and creatively as oppose to spending money, gas, and other important resources to get new items we do not need.