Reflection Number Two

I think the most important thing that I have learned this week is the biggest aspect of C2C, waste=food and up cycling. These were topics discussed in everyone’s blogs. Not only did I dig into research myself on the technical vs. biological nutrients and different ways to up cycle but everyone else dug up different information. That is encouraging to know that we can all research the same thing but come up with different ideas and examples. I’ve even found that the brands we’ve talked about constantly or brands that I know are C2C certified stick out to me now. The other day in the shower I grabbed my shampoo and noticed the P&G sticker. Funny how you don’t normally think about things and then once you learn about them they start to appear everywhere!

One of the things that I love about these two solutions is that they involve the consumers. This is also why its useful and relevant to me because I not only have the opportunity to be the designer but I am just as much of a consumer than the average person. These lessons about how to recycle my electronics and recycle materials that most deem as “useless”, will only teach me how to do my consumer responsibility to being eco-friendly. I now have ideas that I wouldn’t have before, like the idea to potentially contact Ford and have a “Jean Drive” that stemmed from our conversation on Rachel’s blog.

Not only does it help me be responsible but I can also teach it to my peers. I even find myself in normal conversation telling people about what I’ve learned. The other night at dinner, my friends were talking about how there are so many foods that have chemicals in them that US doesn’t restrict but other countries do. If I knew they would be interested I would have gone off in detail about how the same thing happens in textiles. However, I don’t know if they would’ve been that interested in all my fun facts.

I said this last time but the thing that fascinates me is how companies are acting on sustainability. I could spend a lot of time just watching the youtube videos that companies are using to promote their sustainable efforts. I think advertisement is going to be a major channel for getting awareness out. I also love to learn about how the consumer can get involved. I think it takes everyone to make a difference.