All the stuff we use, we need and don’t really need. The Story of Stuff All the stuff we use, we need and don’t really need.

All the ‘stuff’ we use/own follows a specific pattern...

All the ‘stuff’ we use/own follows a specific pattern...

Linear System If you look at the pattern you will notice that it is a linear system  It travels in a straight line in one direction. The problem with our current story for our “stuff” is that it starts with resources that are finite.  The resources will run out someday. If the resources run out, the entire system will collapse.

Garbology The study of modern refuse and trash to gather information on individuals or changes in society and culture

Trashopolis Clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7mj4ogrUuk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpn0hK4BKaw

The Vocabulary of Garbology 1) Material Consumption The purchase and use of resources and products. Can you think of the last 3 things that you purchased or where purchased for you? 1) 2) 3)

The Vocabulary of Garbology 2) Planned Obsolescence When materials are designed to break in order to be replaceD Can you think of a 3 products that are planned Obsolescences? 1) 2) 3)

Slide Show of Planned Obsolescence http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/planned-obsolescence-460210

The Vocabulary of Garbolody 3) Perceived Obsolescence When materials are redesigned in order to persuade people to throw them away and buy a newer model.

The Vocabulary of Garbolody 4) Luxury A good or service that is not essential to a person’s life. 5) Necessity A good or service that is essential to a person’s life.

The Vocabulary of Garbolody Luxuries in my Life... Necessities in my Life... 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

The Vocabulary of Garbolody 6) Archaeology The study of past human life and culture by looking at artifacts and material evidence.

In order to produce the “stuff” that we need (or don’t need), we must use resources. It is important to ensure that our resource extraction is sustainable, or we will eventually run out! SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SUSTAINABLE?   Sustainability Meeting the needs of the present without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable apples activity

Think about all of the “stuff” you own. Where did it come from Think about all of the “stuff” you own. Where did it come from? Where was it made? You probably will notice that the majority of the “stuff” we have comes from places that are far away! There are many reasons for making products in countries that are far away, but the main reason is money! Have your desk partner look at the label on your shirt... Where was it made?

Why is it cheaper for companies to make their products far away? 1. Labour Costs People in other countries can be paid much less. Minimum wage in Winnipeg is $10.40/hr. In China, the minimum wage is closer to $0.25-$0.75/hr.

Why is it cheaper for companies to make their products far away? 2. Labour Laws In Canada we have very strict labour laws that protect the worker. Many countries have little to no laws protecting the safety and rights of the worker. Many countries also allow (or ignore) child labour.

Child Labour and Chocolate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXWFXeIZY9g

Why is it cheaper for companies to make their products far away? 3. Worker Benefits Many companies in Canada offer benefits such as health care, dental, sick leave, disability, etc. Companies in other countries do not have to pay for these benefits.

Why is it cheaper for companies to make their products far away? 4. Weak Health and Safety Standards Regulations on the use of certain chemicals are not as strict as they are in Canada.

Why is it cheaper for companies to make their products far away? 5. Taxes Governments tax companies just like they tax people. Many governments will not charge as much taxes to attract companies to their area to create jobs.

Once the products are made, they must travel to the various retail outlets to be sold. Remember that much of the “stuff” we buy is manufactured overseas in countries like China, India, Japan, and Malaysia. Products must be shipped then trucked to the store so it can be purchased by us. This increases the carbon footprint of the items we buy!

The carbon footprint of “stuff” will consist of emissions from: Extraction of the raw materials (resources) Transportation of raw materials to production plants. Use of energy to process the raw materials into products. Transportation of product to retail outlets. Energy used to staff and maintain retail outlets. This is where it becomes important to think about buying local products, or at least buying products that are made in our own country! HOW GREEN IS MY ORANGE?

Consumption is by far the most important part of the whole process Consumption is by far the most important part of the whole process! Consumers are what fuels and drives production.  Without consumers, the process will collapse!   In order to keep us buying stuff, companies spend huge amounts of money to advertise their products, especially to kids.

Some statistics on marketing to kids in America. The average young person in America watches 40,000 T.V. ads per year. In 1983 companies spent $100 million advertising to kids, in 2007 they spent $17 billion marketing to children. 8-12 year olds spend $30 billion every year $1.6 billion is spent on food ads that target children, $492 million alone on soft-drinks.  

Everything we buy or consume eventually will get thrown out Everything we buy or consume eventually will get thrown out. Our “stuff” will likely end up going to one of the following places: Landfill Place where it is dumped and covered with earth. In Winnipeg, our landfill is at the south end of the city on the perimeter highway Incinerator Place where trash is burned, energy produced is often used to create electricity. Recycling Plant Items that can be recycled, will go to a plant to be sorted then shipped to a processing plant. Winnipeg has doubled the amount it recycles since 2000

Often, our stuff can be re-used Often, our stuff can be re-used. Recently, the city has implemented giveaway weekends where residents can put unwanted items at the curb and others can take it for free. Our unwanted stuff can also be donated to places like the salvation army or value village to be re-used. Also, garage sales, kijiji, ebay, etc. are great ways to reduce the amount of “stuff” that goes to the landfill.  “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure”