I've been writing about the 3R, then about the 5R and besides writing, I'm trying to do as much as I can to respect them even though it's kind of difficult when you don't have selective waste collection in your city. This year I'd like to do more and I've found a way to salvage at least paper and plastic but not all. There are certain supermarkets with bins collecting paper, plastic, glass and batteries, so I'm trying to collect these at home and take all to these bins. The first mission was successful, no one said anything, so I hope it means they are ok with it. The truth is these bins are too small for everyone to dump their recycling waste in these but I'm still trying to.
Educating people about selective waste collecting, recycling is essential as we can save a lot by doing it but is that really the way? Isn't a better way to save resources?
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Is This The Right Direction?
Compared to our ancestors, we live a very different life. Everything changes all the time which is normal as no one can or wants to stop development. We always want something better or we want more. This is natural but the problem is everything has a cost and we're paying the bills even if we don't realize that.
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Let's look at the fashion industry for example. Designers are competing with each other to come up with something new and better all the time. They are telling people what to wear, what's trendy and many people are listening as they are caught up in this circle. If you don't have the latest model of Louis Vuitton or Versace, you don't count. That's how
Every time something new comes out there's a category that are ready to pay whatever it costs just to be the first to wear it or/and to show off. The old one is not good anymore as it's outdated although it's in perfect condition.
Fast Fashion
This is pretty much the case with cheaper products, just in a different way. Textile industry is focusing on creating cheap products to be accessible for everyone while minimizing costs. If you look at the tags of these clothes you see the most of it is made in countries like China, Bangladesh, India etc. There's a good reason companies chose these countries and it's not because they want to create jobs for these people.
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The real reason is because work force is cheap in these countries, laws are not so strict or in some cases non existent, plus environment protection is also non existent. People are working for a dollar or two a day in these countries, happy they can get food for their families. Exploitation is high, not to mention pollution.
it is estimated that 100 to 150 L of water is required for dyeing 1 kg of textile. source
and the waste water that remains after the process is full of chemicals. Take a wild guess where this waste water ends in these countries.
Recycling?
While high end fashion items can be resold, I can't tell the same thing about cheap, low quality products. High end products are often sold in very good condition and many people are happy to by a slightly used item for less than the original price. This is good as it's repurposing or finding a new owner. Low quality clothing items last less and the chance you can sell them is slim to none.
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I've seen factories reusing old clothes to produce new ones but there aren't many. Nike and H & M are both working on it and I hope they can set an example for others to follow.
How About Educating Both Companies And People?
They need to find a way to stop waste and pollution, the sooner the better. Factories must find a way to reduce pollution and try to produce better quality clothes that last longer than one season or one washing. They need to think outside the box and have as priority quality, not just profit. They need to see the big picture and think long term.
People on the other hand should think better and make smarter choices when buying clothing items. It's easy to buy something just because it's cheap and then throw it away because there's a new one, without thinking about the consequences. There's always a solution, you just have to be willing to see it.
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