Week 2
ASA 141
This was the first week of the Be Green Challenge. But because
I was swamped with midterms and papers, I did not have much free time to feel
the urge to shop or browse the sales online. The challenge did not pose much of
a problem this week, but I do think the urge to spend money on material items,
will be difficult as the weeks progress. In last week’s reading, Crossing the Assembly Line, fast fashion
and the commercialization of garments made me realize the divide between high
and low fashion, and how countries that manufacture garments are pushed to
reinforce this difference. This helped “establish an industrial system that was
geared to satisfy overseas buyers’ demand for reliable and standardized manufacturing
to any given specification” (53) and devalue the skills of the local workers
(53). This challenge is important to realize the beliefs and effects of the companies
I spend my money on have on society.
Though I did not spend money on clothes, I did spend a lot of
money on food and coffee, which is not sustainable for both my wallet and the environment.
I think society puts a lot of focus on changing the diet to be more sustainable
for the environment, like eating less red meat or eating more organic and locally
sourced food. Another aspect is food packaging, which includes all the plastic
wrap, single-use utensils and plastic straws used for ready to eat or take out
foods. This contributes to a lot of plastic waste but can be greatly reduced
with the use of metal straws or bringing your own utensils and containers.
Though it is not always convenient, I think this week has made me more conscious
of the waste I produce and how I can minimize that. A lot of new research in
the food tech industry is now in the food packaging sector. In the article/photo
linked below, the USDA is looking into creating 100% edible/biodegradable
plastic wrap out of lactose.
References:
1. Tokarz, L. (2007, June 5). Edible Films Made From Dairy, Biofuel Byproducts. Retrieved May 5, 2019, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2007/edible-films-made-from-dairy-biofuel-byproducts/
2. Thuy Link Nguyen, Crossing the Assembly Line
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