While reading this chapter in Cradle-to-Cradle, I found several points interesting. One that specifically caught my attention was the idea that “products containing valuable technical nutrients could be reconceived as services people want to enjoy”. I liked this because it is a new way of thinking about products. However, we, as consumers must first overcome the mind-set of having a ‘virgin product. McDonough and Braungart say it best when describing this thought - “This virgin product is mine, for the very first time. When I am finished with it, everyone is. It’s history. Industries design and plan according to this mind-set”. If we went away from this and leaned more towards the philosophy that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Our environment would improve drastically. Or if we renewed products in such a way that they are perceived as a ‘virgin product’, we could diminish this thought.
My notion is to have an apparel store that reuses old clothes. The customer must bring in an old article of clothing in order to purchase something “new” or recycled clothing from our store. The old clothes do not “necessarily” need to be from our brand; however the clothes must not contain harmful dyes and chemicals. And we would give a free eco-friendly bottle of detergent in with each purchase – because of this the clothing line would be a little more expensive. Also, if the consumer brought in the old empty bottle of our detergent for recycled purposes, we would give them a generous discount for another bottle of detergent. This goes along with the all of values “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. I decided on giving an environmentally-safe detergent because each part of the products life-cycle is important in working towards a greener earth. McDonough and Braungart describe this idea flawlessly, stating, “If our systems contaminate Earth’s biological mass and continue to throw away technical materials or render them useless, we will indeed live in a world of limits, where production and consumption are restrained, and the Earth will literally become a grave”. This is exactly why we make recycling an item mandatory to purchase an item. Some make think this is too harsh, but people go through wardrobes nearly monthly, and our minimum requirement would be only one article of clothing – no matter how big or small it is. As a frequent consumer in the apparel industry, I would undoubtedly participate in a shopping environment like this – I have hope that others would too!
Hey, Morgan; I love these McDonough quotes! He is so eloquent, it is hard to resist quoting him. This is a very interesting idea you have that will require a big shift in consumer behavior -- definitely a concept for 2050! My question is, if you are requiring these non-toxic garments for recycling: what types of changes in the apparel industry do you anticipate that will facilitate this? What do you think it will take to make non-toxic garments the way of the future?
ReplyDeleteHi Dr. Armstrong; I think the changes that would have to happen in the apparel industry are a monumental movement to non-toxic garments. Because some of these toxic ways are much less expensive, I believe the government would have to step in and take control. I understand that people are tired of the government stepping in every aspect of their personal and business life, but this, in the long term, is better for everyone AND the earth.
DeleteMorgan,
ReplyDeleteI think that your blog this week did a great job in utilizing the reading, but I didn't see a whole lot of the video concepts incorporated into your idea. The direct quotes are very well written, but I would have liked to have seen it more paraphrased in your own words. I think that it gives it a little bit more meaning and makes me as a reader think about it in a different way as well! I like your idea of an apparel store that reuses old clothes. When I first started to read it, I thought of Plato's Closet, which is a store that buys and sells used clothing. But as I kept reading, I appreciated your idea to include a bottle of eco-friendly detergent with every purchase. I think that it will definitely encourage consumers to continue to practice sustainability in their clothing. What do you plan on doing with the used clothes that do not sell? In the reading under "The Technical Metabolism" section, McDonough and Braungart talk about an idea for the disposal of a used television. It states, "..the manufacturer replaces it, taking the old model back, breaking it down, and using its complex materials as food for new products". Maybe this is a concept you could incorporate into your idea? Great job this week!
Hey Mallory; Just as you explained with the television recycling example, I plan on sending back the worn clothing to our manufacturer and breaking them down into their basic form and starting all over with the apparel process. This is why the store would only take clothes that did not include toxic chemicals in their life-cycle process. I appreciate your points; I didn't use the video much because I didn't feel that it adequately supported my idea, however, as you pointed out, it does bring up some great points.
DeleteThank you!
Thanks for clarifying, I understand where you're going with this! I think that this is a solid concept that will appeal and be successful among consumers.
DeleteMorgan,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea and I think your article was very well written. You did great at utilizing the readings from the week. I think this is an idea that people would really catch on to and support. People would be getting something new while helping the environment and getting rid of things they do not want. Like you said one man's trash is another man's treasure. I especially thing this idea will go over well since a big portion of our consumers are really into vintage. How will you promote your store and clothing line? Do you think this is something that will take awhile for consumers to adjust to?
Morgan,
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of making products appear "virgin" so to draw in consumers that look for the shiny and new. The concept of the detergent is great because you are taking the eco-friendly one step further. Its a good concept for the customers to be able to return the bottles, but I also think you could apply some attributes to the packaging. For instance, in the C2C reading they discuss the no waste concept and even mention packing becoming biological nutrients. They go on to discuss the worry free packaging safely decomposing, being fertilizer, and returning nutrients to the soil. Perhaps this could be another component you add if people do not return the bottles? Well done, I like your idea a lot and would shop there!
Morgan,
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful idea here! I like that you thought of all aspects of the challenge this week and addressed them perfectly. Offering incentives is a great way to get people involved and excited about purchasing your products! Would you work with several different brands, or just choose one partner who is willing to back your idea and support the recycling and reconstruction of garments? What is the gain for the company who originally designed the clothing? Great job!