Story of Stuff Notes

Materials Economy - Not a good system because its a linear system on a finite planet, can't run indefinitely. And its reacting with society, cultures, people, etc.

First step in the system is Extraction:
Extraction trashes the planet because we are running out of natural resources. 

Next is Production:
This is where we use energy to mix toxic chemicals with the resources. Many of these chemicals mix with our environment and people and harms them. A lot of this toxic is in products but a lot more toxic is in pollution. 

Distribution:
Sell these products at stores. We don't pay for the real price of things, instead child laborers pay with their future, and the environment pays by it getting destroyed. 

- planned obsolescense means "planned for the dumps" meaning products are made so they can be thrown away such as paper cups, new versions of electronics, etc.

- perceived obsolescence means making us buy new things so we have the latest designs and so we have the "latest designs" 

- National happiness has gone down since the huge consumer boom, and half of the stuff we buy gets trashed

Disposal:
Majority of the products we buy gets trashed. Some of this gets incinerated or dumped into the landfill. Both wastes an enormous amount of energy. Incineration creates super toxins which is even worse than just plain pollution. Recycling helps but is not the solution.

Solutions:
- We can still transform this system into something that works much better
- Renewable Resources