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| Industrial ecology is the
elimination of all waste an emissions from industrial processes.
Whole systems is a concept closely tied to it. The concept can be best illustrated with an example from an agricultural process. coffee growing in a linear process
Fertilizer is manufactured and shipped to the coffee plantation. Fertilizer is mixed with the soil, combined with water and sunlight to produce a coffee plant. Coffee beans are picked off the coffee plant and sold. The remaining coffee plant is burned. The process starts over. Over time, chemical resources are depleted.
coffee growing in a circular process (simplified)
A fertilizer which is produced at the end of the process is used, combined with sunlight and water to grow a coffee plant. Coffee beans are picked off the coffee plant. The coffee plant is shredded and made into a substrate that is used to grow mushrooms. Mushrooms are picked from the substrate. The substrate has been altered by the mushrooms and is now fed to pigs. Pig excrement is processed by algae into a fertilizer and methane. The fertilizer is used to grow more coffee plants.
This idea can be applied to industrial processes. Laws governing infrastructure and taxes would have to be changed to accomodate these types of processes if we as a society want them implemented. Factories would also have to be very open with their processes so gaps in potential cycles could be found, and materials to fill those gaps researched. It is my intention to be part of such work. In the meantime, we do buy and recycle waste plastic. We also work in solar energy. I also apply lean initiatives to commercial business. Contact me if you're interested in any of this. |