A small effort from everyone would make a difference in bringing the Earth back to balance. Most of us know recycling and reusing. Downcycling is a newer concept of converting waste products into a new one, which is most often a different item. (Examples: plastic from recycled plastic bottles is used to make new pen or reusable shopping bags) The purpose of dowcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful supply, to reduce consumption of bran new materials and also in the process, to save not only energy, but also reduce air and water pollution.
You can choose when you shop: Example: I like maple syrup very much. Stores offer this item in glass bottle, plastic bottle and tin container. You may choose the one with the cheaper dollar price. But you may also look at what will happen when the maple syrup has been consumed... Where the container will go? Glass is the only material, you can reshape in its original form without waste, except for some energy in the heating process. Tin may often be melted back into something else. Plastic may sometimes be downcycled, but this creates air pollution and waste products. With this information, what would be your priorities when shopping?
Very informative post! I like the idea of stepping back and not only looking at price, but also looking at the container that houses the syrup. I've never really thought about what container the materials are in, and most of the time go for plastic bottles because of price. I will be more aware of that next time.
ReplyDeleteThe post itself is well written, and well organized in a short and concise paragraph that doesn't deter my attention. The only thing I noticed were a couple of grammatical errors and some small spelling mistakes, but other than that good job.
When going to the store, I never really thing about the type of container that I am purchasing. Having a young child at home whom I try to impose the right message on, as far as recycling, I always put emphasis on putting the correct material into to the right bin when teaching him the importance of recycling at home. What I don't take into consideration is the recycling process once it leaves my house and gets to the factory and the effect on the earth of that particular produce. Thanks for the enlightenment.
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