ZERO WASTE

We have had an awesome week with MR X from Zero Waste learning about resource sustainability. We have learnt just how much of an impact we have in NZ on the environment and why we need to think carefully how we live.

Some of the key things we have learnt are:

• Humans are the only thing on the planet that create waste.  
• All 'stuff' has a natural origin which is renewable or nonrenewable. e.g. oil is used to create plastic, wood is used to create paper, white silica sand is used for class, black iron sand is used for creating iron/steel, and bauxite is used to make aluminium 
• The process we use is linear (a line), not cyclic (circle). Everything in nature goes in a cycle, except what humans do. Our process is Extraction, Production, Distribution, Consumption, and Disposal. Every part of the process uses natural resources and the end product is waste.
• Everyone has an eco-footprint (our impact on the worlds resources). The size of our footprint depends on the amount of 'stuff' we have and use. We compared 10 countries (including NZ) and their eco-footprint per person. Here is how it looks:

Biggest footprint (no particular order): Australia, England, USA, Canada, NZ .
Medium footprint: South Africa, Argentina.
Smallest footprint: Mali, India, China

• There are some terrible statistics coming out about NZ and the environment. New Zealand's species extinction rate is among the highest in the world. A United Nations report identifies New Zealand as one of the world’s largest generators of electronic waste (ewaste) and the only OECD country without any national regulations. New Zealand produces 3.68kg of waste per person per day, the worst in the developed world and the 10th worst of countries worldwide surveyed. NZ Herald article
• Developed (wealthy) countries make up 20% of the world's population, create 75% of the waste, consume 86% of the goods and services, and use 58% of the energy produced. 
• NZ vs Mali. The students compared their lifestyles with those in Mali and it was fascinating to see just how many things we have and the possible impact on the environment.

It was fascinating to look into this. We will do some exploring into what it means for the future. How can we creatively think about the future: shopping differently, transport, energy production and use, buildings, waste, etc. 

Here is a video the powerfully shows humanities attitude towards the Earth's resources.