Reading Response to the chapter Disposal

Disposal

The chapter begins by discussing depreciation and how “stuff” collects and loses value the second it is in our homes. We buy objects thinking they will enhance our quality of life but they end up collecting dust and complicating our lives. Unfortunately, people have become so accustomed to this materialistic addictive lifestyle that society as a whole as gave in to the system; people all the other to influence their every move. Sure thats true but I believe that there is a happy medium area of society that can live a very sustainable life yet consume goods produced by companies, particularly sustainable-pro companies, including long lasting multi-use tools or materials, organic food, farmers market, and locally produced products. Now, I don’t mean to be bashing this simple understandable idea of eliminating waste, in fact I think the depreciation concept is the easiest to live by: I simply halt my consuming, period. But what I’m trying to say is I believe an individual can still consume and be happy and live that steller responsible sustainable life, but where is that important borderline: when does consumption consume our lives fully. When will we take a step back and realize our consumption is too much. From there, what benefits will I receive from this experience of eliminating a lot of unnecessary items. With that complex idea out, I hope this class really impacts my outlook and priorities in life. Because I get such thrill out of preserving and living minimal, I truly believe this winter term course will really enhance my knowledge on sustainability and the zero waste idea. I look forward to taking my knowledge from this course and putting it into action here in our living unit and in my parents home. Teaching people how to better themselves and the environment really has a big part of my values as a person.

In the last year, my interest in a Tiny House has expanded and I find myself fantasizing about living out my Tiny House dream. It’s an idea of living extremely minimalist, which entails living sustainably with very little resources, yet having the luxury of holding quality goods. A tiny house integrates a lot of sustainable ways of living and puts them under one roof, most of the time one room as well. The Tiny House is practically a very small cabin made out of extra material that are found around town or recycle centers. These houses, once built for 4 seasons, are able to efficiently run with very little energy. With minimal waste due to the little space available to hold random belongings, people voluntarily reduce their consumption as well as their pocket books. A new carbon footprint is achieved because of the Tiny House movement. Tiny house people have began congregating with other sustainable people and together they build a cyclical community. The communities learn to work together and, in some ways, have become separate to the “high consumer society.” With slim to no cost and the will to leave the house, the utility bill and other expenses are reduced dramatically. As there little place to lounge, if you will, people find themselves outside more, doing more productive things. Example: gardening, playing, exercising, eating outside, anything outside! I see this way of living as a way to eliminate the clutter as well as promote sustainability while actually living out the zero waste idea/dream. The Tiny House life in general allows people to focus on the true qualities in life: family time, friends, relationships, exploring, and more exercise than imagined.