Growth is normally good to most environmentalists as it symbolizes the growth of nature and it shows that the environment is well protected. According to William McDonough and Michael Braungart, environmental growth is necessary, and it is also for the benefit of nature that recycling methods be employed so that any kind of waste cannot be harmful to the human health within its surrounding. The duo also challenges the current recycling methods which are more of ‘’cradle to grave’’ since they are not eco-friendly despite today’s environmentalists giving the recycling tactics a clean bill of health. The book lays focus on impacts of waste products that are discharged from factories to the environment on human health and natural resources around. The authors try to establish several theories that could reduce pollution and safeguard the environment without causing any harm.
The current models of how waste products are treated are put to task by the authors as they note that modern day recycling methods are expensive and they put human lives at stake shortly. They argue that most products are recycled to ensure that there is environmental safety. The authors prefer emphasizing on production and recycling methods being eco-effective in that they ensure the safety of the ecosystem and they are cost-effective so that manufacturers can be able to make profits at the end of the day. This ensures that the environment is safe and at the same time the manufacturers have made their money. With their work inscribed on plastic that can be reused and washable ink that can be reused, William and Michael have inspired generations and led from the front in the war against environmental pollution and damage. This shows that the authors are determined to prove that waste is not just waste but it can be used to create something better from it without being downcycled or being made to lose value.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
In the second chapter of the book, ’Why Being ‘’Less Bad’’ Is No Good’ the duo notes that the planet lacks resources to sustain itself and those in it. They observe that human beings have resulted in using resources meant for emergencies as their chief commodities for survival instead of making use of natural resources. They note that oil has been given priority as a form of energy instead of solar energy which is natural. The oil ends up polluting the environment, and this will eventually make the earth uninhabitable. Such pollution exposes the human race to harm, but corporate bodies that deal with this kind of energy have directed their focus to commercial gains at the expense of human lives which lead to diseases caused by ecological pollution. In summary, chapter two of the book shows that the authors are not after minimal pollution that is advocated for in legislations that concern the environment but they are advocating for no pollution at all, and they believe that this can be achieved if things are done in a morally upright manner and with more intelligent recycling designs.
As a result of ecological pollution, human health and nature have been greatly affected as industrial development has been prioritized at the expense of human life and the ecological system. Industries that pollute the environment are causing creating higher chances of diseases such as cancer, asthma, genetic mutations due to chemicals in the polluted water that goes into the homes of those living around the industries and this is, in turn ,increasing the cost of living as more money is being spent on health care. The government has not been able to stop some of these corporations from releasing their waste products into environments with human life. This is a sign that legislation is weak and it has little or no effect to the environment as those who are caught on the wrong side of the law only pay fines to the government and yet the environment remains affected as no amount of compensation can restore it to where it was initially.
Working on eco-effectiveness instead of eco-efficiency is also an issue that has been highlighted in the book, and the duo notes that if ecosystems were to be treated with respect, key stakeholders would see the need for manufacturing processes that are efficient. They are opposed to eco-efficiency because it is the part of the problem within the system. It is a measure that has been seen as a silent killer as it advocates for slow implementation of the legislations. This, in turn, gives room for pollution as the situations remain unchanged. In relation to the issue of eco-effectiveness, William and Michael talk about ensuring that eco-effectiveness is put into practice so that the goals of a clean and healthy eco-system can be achieved. The book uses Rouge, Ford Motor Company manufacturing plant, as an example of a company that has taken on the task of re-designing the entire plant to meet a modern car market and also make sure that social and environmental concerns are critically addressed at an early stage so as to ensure that the manufacturing process is not only bringing in profits but also taking care of the well-being of those around it.
It is, therefore, essential for manufacturers to consider upcycling as opposed to downcycling. Upcycling is bent on biodegrading or being used for a very long period or being used for a different purpose when the product gets old.
The principle of ‘’Waste Equals Food’’ has also been applied in this book and it is a principle that focuses on the rules of natural cycles. This assumes that every waste is of importance to the biological metabolism and that every material created is of benefit to human and environmental health. This leads to more positive effects of regeneration of products. The cradle to cradle theory of ‘Waste Equals Food’ has been adopted by large corporations and this makes it very practical an essential for ecological survival. It also encourages redesigning and also appreciates the diversity of cultures.
From the points above, it is clear that the authors of the book had conducted serious research on issues regarding environmental and ecological health. Their research was extensive and impressive as it has shed light on ways to control environmental pollution and safeguard the future of our generations. All of the principles above can be adopted by stakeholders in the manufacturing, design and environmental sector as they are vital in ensuring that the health of our natural systems is not in question as is the case right now. Companies should strive to come up with recycling designs that are eco-friendly to avoid pollution that will lead to health issues when emitted to the environment. Legislations put in place should also be tight enough to curb industrial emissions that affect the stability of the environment. This serves as an eye- opener to government institutions and lobby groups as it should help them enact laws that fully protect the environment by ensuring that there is no pollution at all if a healthy balance is to be struck between the environment and its inhabitants. The loose laws that are currently in place also show the rot in the government as most of these laws protect the owners of large corporations who fund most of the lawmakers. This makes them ignore the cry for a healthy environment at the expense of future generations. On eco-effectiveness, the authors in the book have made it clear that it is not about how efficient the manufacturer is but it is about how effective they are in ensuring that they protect the environment during the manufacturing process.
Solutions proposed are mainly health concerns that can be addressed when manufacturers take personal responsibility to ensure that they do not pollute natural resources that are depended upon by human beings. This will ensure that people do not get infected by diseases that are caused by pollution of water by factory chemicals and emissions. Government regulation on a global level will also be required as environment matters affect the whole world and not individual countries. Regulations such as these denying manufacturers permit to release chemical wastes into any water source can be implemented throughout the world in an attempt to rid the world’s water catchment areas of chemical wastes. Finally, policies that ensure that all waste materials are recycled by producers and taken through value addition should be implemented by all companies to avoid downcycling that keeps polluting the environment in small bits.
This book can be helpful as it is based on practical and professional experiences of the authors and this makes their content viable given that they have worked with large corporations that are putting in some of the recommendations noted in the book. The book is also insightful as many people think that recycling is a good way to ensure environmental conservation but research has proven that it is harmful to the environment in the long run. It can also be used as a basis for research by environmentalists and production managers of huge corporations that have issues with the treatment of their waste products.
