where it goes, to uncover a system that is in crisis. The production of stuff moves in stages from extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal. All together, it’s called the materials economy. The problem with the manufacturing and disposal system is that it is linear system, and on a planet that has limited resources, the system is unsustainable.
Since co orporations are bigger economies than government, the government will help and support the bigger co orporations. This has allowed big co orporation to get away with explotation of our natural resources and polluting our atmosphere. Within "In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed". Overuse and fast pace in which we deplete our natural resources.
- 75% fisheries over fished
- 80% original forest are gone
Distribution means keeping the prices low so consumers will buy more and more, this process is done by externalising costs which means huge reductions in the prices of resources, cheap labour and not considering envirnmental costs such as oil spills. Many of the products buy at low cost have failed to include the externalities.
Many products are made to disposed after a few months with approximately 99% of consumer goods is trashed after 6months. Either by planned obsolescence "designed for the dump" or perserved obsolescence, forceful advertisement that creates a desire and need for newer and better even though the old products still works well.
Thus manfactureres and designers should consider the end and bi products of life of a product. Making it recycable, reusable and reduce the amount of harmful toxins used.