Permaculture Principle #6: Produce No Waste
Waste does not exist in nature. There is no such thing. All byproducts and remains of things past are reused within the system, leading to an increase in abundance and inter-connectivity.
Waste is just an used output of any system
Waste is not usually waste, as most things can be used for something else. Organic matter is one of the most obvious cases. Organic matter that is thrown into plastic trash bags is the ultimate insult to the earth. Organic matter should be returned to the source, making compost or feeding animals.
Anyone ever heard of MOOP
MOOP is festival speak for Matter Out Of Place. All trash can be thought of as 'matter out of place'. Something in the wrong place can create problems, like fertilizers in the rivers and streams, or plastic in the ocean. By just putting things in their right place, we can cut down on waste.
This is a picture of the algae bloom in Lake Atitlan. Algae blooms happen when fertility (a resource) exceeds the lake's ability to absorb and use the fertility, making it a waste. Even though the algae robs the lake of oxygen, you have to admit the spiral shapes it makes are beautiful, as seen from this areal photo.
A waste is just a resource that has saturated the systems ability to use it
We live on one of the world's most beautiful lakes, located in Guatemala. One of the greatest challenges is the water run off into the lake. Soaps, agricultural chemicals, and top soil run into the lake, which makes the lake over-fertile, leading to a lack of oxygen in the lake system. This creates problems for the native species of plants and animals that live in this lake. We can see that a small amount of this run-off is actually ok, as it is fertility for the system, but when it exceeds the lake's capacity to utilise it, it becomes a problem.
Finally, a word on trash cans
I want to go out on a limb and talk about trash cans. People love to pat themselves on the back when they throw trash into the trash can. Well, I got news for you.
The Trash Can is the biggest enabler of waste, encouraging mindless consumption and a lack of ownership of the trash we produce!
Watch this video, featuring yours truly, to understand why...
If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to follow us, resteem it, or even come visit us here in beautiful Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
NOTE: This post is proudly filled, COMPLETELY, with original writing, and photos that are used under the Fair Use Act. ENJOY!
Love the message you’re bringing, I never thought I’d think of trash cans that way, but you’re right. Inspired to rethink our plastic stream at home (we’ve long wanted to use them as building blocks by sequestering them in plastic bottles). Keep up the quality posts.
Thanks @mountainjewel Glad to hear it. It is really true. The trash can enables mindless consumption and by simply removing that, you are forced to think about what trash you will produce and what to do with that trash when you produce it.
That trash can blurb made me see trash cans differently too. I remember when I barely moved here, I was a little taken aback by the small trash cans.
Make less trash was not the first obvious solution that came to mind.
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I like what you said in the end about trash cans. Where I live they charge you based on your trash can size. If you throw a lot of stuff away then you have to upgrade to a larger trash can. I've really focused on trying to find ways to repurpose everything and produce less waste as well. This prevents me from having to upgrade to a larger size trash can.
Wow, cool to hear that some municipalities are charging for the size of your trash can. Its catching on...
We do that here too. We have trash cans, recycle cans and compost cans.
Everywhere we go in our city, there are three bins.
refusing & reducing are the most essential parts to eliminating waste in my life. if i don't bring it into the house, i won't deal with it again later or be tempted with it. like chocolates and sugar :( LOL
i want to try banning the can now!!!!
So true. Its not just trash, but other types of waste as well. And I give the "Ban the Can" a try!!!
Hi Shad.
Good to find you here. I have been already following you on youtube before. Your article here makes me remember the "Formidable Vegetable Sound System" with the song "No Such Thing As Waste". Great fun #Permaculture musics!
@my-permaculture Thanks for note. Glad to see more and more permaculture people joining the SteemIt community. Looking forward to following you on your permaculture ride!!!
Thanks @squdsi1. Lets see where this goes.
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