consumer society and enviromental degradation by Carolina Diniz Da Costa E Souza

What is Consumer Society?

carolinadiniz6 — 2024-04-29 11:03:04 UTC

In the consumer society, people buy a lot and throw away a lot. This happens because there are so many different products available, which constantly make us feel like we urgently need them. Advertising shows us the things we think we want.

The current consumption system is based on the stages of extraction, transformation, distribution, consumption, and disposal. This system is in crisis because, as it is linear, it faces barriers such as the finite amount of raw materials and the waste generated.

CONSUMER SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

carolinadiniz6 — 2024-04-29 11:04:57 UTC

The consumer society's high levels of consumption and waste production frequently contribute to environmental damage. Pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion are all impacted by the constant use and disposal of goods. In addition to using energy and producing greenhouse gas emissions, mass production of goods also contributes to climate change. The improper disposal of waste, particularly electronic and plastic waste, can also contaminate the air, water, and soil, endangering human health as well as ecosystems. All things considered, the insatiable quest of consuming in consumer society exacerbates environmental issues and jeopardizes the sustainability of the world.

Extraction:

mariacotta1 — 2024-04-29 11:05:44 UTC

During the extraction phase, products such as rubber, are taken from nature to be used as raw materials in the production of goods. The extraction process is very intensive, and we take resources from nature faster than its capacity to regenerate.

Nike sources materials from around the world, including rubber for soles, leather or synthetic materials for uppers, and various other components like foam for cushioning. For example, rubber may be harvested from rubber trees, and synthetic materials are derived from petroleum or other chemical processes. The extraction and transportation of these materials can contribute to environmental degradation through deforestation, habitat destruction, and carbon emissions from transportation.

Chosen Product:

carolinadiniz6 — 2024-04-29 11:08:17 UTC

Shoes Nike Air Force:

Transformation:

mariacotta1 — 2024-04-29 11:08:35 UTC

In transformation, raw materials taken from nature are transformed into the products that we buy.

The transformation process can release toxic products that contaminate the air, soil, and water.

Raw materials are then transformed into the components needed to manufacture Nike shoes. This transformation involves processes such as refining rubber into soles, processing leather or synthetic materials into uppers, and manufacturing other shoe components like foam cushioning. These manufacturing processes can consume significant amounts of energy, water, and other resources, and may involve the use of chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.

The transformation process involves assembling the various components of the shoe. This stage typically has significant environmental impacts, including energy consumption, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the use of chemicals in manufacturing processes can contribute to water pollution and other environmental issues.

Distribution

mariacotta1 — 2024-04-29 11:11:30 UTC

After the processing of the raw material made in the industries, the products must be distributed as quickly as possible and at a low cost.

Once the components are manufactured, they are distributed to Nike's manufacturing facilities around the world. This involves transportation via various modes such as ships, trucks, and airplanes. The distribution stage contributes to carbon emissions and air pollution, as well as habitat destruction and other environmental impacts associated with infrastructure development.

Discard

mariacotta1 — 2024-04-29 11:15:18 UTC

The intense rhythm of consumption and the obsolescence of products lead consumers not to use most of the things they buy.

Products that are thrown into the trash are dumped in landfills or are burned and then dumped in landfills. When burning the garbage, the toxins in the product are released into the air as a pollutant.

Recycling solves a small part of the problem, but there are products in which the mix of materials makes this impossible. In addition, the garbage recycled at home is not enough to compensate for all the waste created during the entire consumption system.

Eventually, Nike shoes reach the end of their useful life and are disposed of. This can involve various disposal methods, including recycling, landfilling, or incineration. Improper disposal can lead to environmental pollution and waste generation. Nike has been working on initiatives to improve the end-of-life management of its products, such as recycling programs for old shoes.The intense rhythm of consumption and the obsolescence of products lead consumers not to use most of the things they buy.

Corporate Recycling initiatives and their Overall Environmental Impact: The case of a Nike grind and the reuse-A-shoe program

mariacotta1 — 2024-04-29 11:40:55 UTC

Indicating what part of the product life cycle that has most likely been included when estimating the per product CO2 footprint in green, while black indicates stages that should be included to provide a more comprehensive and realistic estimate of actual emissions induced by the product.

The first stage of the program is the collection of the shoes, which can be either through returning the worn-out shoes to designated collection points in stores or by directly mailing the shoes to one of the two recycling facilities.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amanda-Hansson-3/publication/333512603_Examining_the_Viability_of_Corporate_Recycling_Initiatives_and_Their_Overall_Environmental_Impact_The_Case_of_Nike_Grind_and_the_Reuse-A-Shoe_Program/links/5df97a834585159aa484ecd3/Examining-the-Viability-of-Corporate-Recycling-Initiatives-and-Their-Overall-Environmental-Impact-The-Case-of-Nike-Grind-and-the-Reuse-A-Shoe-Program.pdf