Vital Waste Graphics 3

resource consumption and conse- quently more waste. On the other hand, when new prod- ucts offer higher performance or greater energy efficiency, for in- stance, a change may reduce the overall environmental impact. In- deed, the use-phase of certain elec- tronic products carries significant weight in their Life Cycle Assess- ment (LCA). The presence (or lack) of sound waste management meth- ods can nevertheless alter the final verdict. To avoid counter-productive effects, environmental regulations on product efficiency and quality must also take into account the end- of-life of products.

Happiness versus consumption Are high consuming, therefore high waste producing, societies happier? The satirical model developed by Colin Beavan, aka ‘No Impact Man’, illustrates the much discussed relationship between happiness and consumption. At what point (‘the goal’) does growth become useless and even harmful to our well-being, when objects, things, ‘stuff ’ take over our lives?

Plastic syringe

Polyethylene plastic bottle

Disposable nappy

Latex medical glove

Ballpoint pen

Plastic shopping bag

Disposable electronics?

Aluminum can

1950

2000

1940

1960

1970

1980

1990

2010

WORLD WAR II

HIV AIDS

(great growth in the use of condoms)

Tangible sanitary or social improvement

MASS USE OF DISPOSABLE PACKAGING MASS USE OF DISPOSABLE TABLEWARE

SPREAD OF FASHION (CLOTHES, FURNITURE, CARS); DISAPPEARANCE OF THE THRIFT AND DURABILITY CULTURE (associated with wartime)

EVER-SHORTENING LIFESPAN OF ELECTRONICS

" The Waste Makers ", Vance Packard,1960

" The Consumer Society ", Jean Baudrillard, 1970

VITAL WASTE GRAPHICS 3 11