Products/Waste

"The practice of designing products and the processes for making those products in environmentally responsible ways is known as Design for the Environment. Its goals of protecting environmental systems from harm, protecting human health and safety, and the sustainability of natural resources apply over the full product and process life cycle. Its practice focuses on reducing on reducing the use of hazardous substances, minimizing consumption of energy and resources, reducing waste, and expanding thelife cycle of products through recycling and reuse." (Robertson. 2014) Although this quote sits at the beginning of chapter fourteen, DFE is probably one of the most important proposals for reform that I have ever come across. And that is saying something since I attempted to do recycle mania quite a few times. The proposal brings to life products that we use, it personalizes their use so that we think of the object as telling us important truths about ourselves. This means we are more likely to find solutions to pollution spread by waste products. We eat from reusable bowls and cups. We live scantily with what we have with constant care for our items. We buy based on need. We produce naturally rather than rely on artificiality. This action plans requires what Robertson calls for, that is,"Zero Waste requires changes to policies and laws..."(Robertson, 2014). To speak the obvious... But the quote surrounds itself with amazing insights into why products should be geared to creating Zero Waste, namely that they provide incentives for reusing and recycling that go along with institutional economic incentives. Likewise, this appeal to safe urchases, reusable goods, and incentives to recycle reinforce," the waste  known as the 3Rs..." (Robertson, 2014) -- that is, to reduce, reuse, and recycle.