Responsible consumption and the afterlife of products

A waste management approach…
Responsible consumption:
“Buy less, choose well, make it last”
The use of ethical and environmental criteria when choosing, using and disposing of the products we own.
After life of products:
“One man's trash is another man's treasure”
All possible uses of product (and materials) after they are no longer functional, needed or wanted.

To know is to see…
1st. What is the real cost of products and materials?
The “true cost” of a T-shirt
(imported, non-organically grown cotton)
2157 litters of water, (45% irrigation)
8 kw, 42 to 110 litters of fuel (land and sea)
travels 8850 to 15120 kilometers,
NO, SO2, CO, CO2 emissions
pesticides (4 to 11 litters), toxic dyes
Import fee 0.60 to 1.03 USD
Labor 50 cents a day
Also 200 to 345 litters of fertilizer

Opportunities for waste management…
2nd. What can we do to solve or mitigate the problem?
“Allow the life extension of products (and materials) by means of reusing, repurposing, repairing, refurbishing, recycling, return as raw materials, etc to keep them from ending up in landfills”

Reusing Repurposing Repairing
Refurbishing Recycling Raw Materials
Organic waste

Successful examples…
-from wasted fishing nets to carpets tiles
-from waste to energy, clean water and bricks
-from plastics to roads
-Refurbished Machinery (Caterpillar Reman)
-Food sharing app (Olio)

Let’s build solutions together…
Government: simplifying procedures to set up environmentally oriented companies, offering incentives and support
Businessman and entrepreneurs: Investing in waste management businesses
Specialists: such scientists, engineers, technician, etc contribute with your knowledge to build, acquire manage the technology necessary to maximize the efficiency of the projects
Community: volunteers, environmental and social organizations, people interested in working in such companies
Educators: helps us build a culture of responsible consumers who contribute with their actions to a better management of waste

Less talking more action…
Let’s join interests, opportunities, expertise to start solving
step 1: Generate awareness/discuss
step 2: Create/expand community networks
step 3: Choose a project
step 4: Join a team
step 5: Cooperate and initiate