Materials

It is time we all started learning a phrase that is still not in common usage: “materials management”. Not “waste” management, which presupposes a linear system. But rather “materials” management which describes a circular economy. Look here for information about plastics reduction, product stewardship, composting, and a whole bunch of fun definitions related to what we used to think of as “waste”.

Work toward a safer and more sustainable environment

Of the four crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social inequity, the three environmental crises are being primarily driven by our use of materials. At least 45% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with making products. Materials management includes the whole system of production, reduction, use, and reuse, where the full life cycle implications are taken into account. This cannot be done by looking at fossil fuels / energy alone. We cannot ignore “Materials” and think we can “fix” climate change. We often overlook or minimize this, if we focus only on fossil fuels and biodiversity.

Going a step further we actually need a “regenerative” economy, not merely a circular one, but not getting worse would still be a really good start.