Waste

Living in the 21st century we extract raw materials and energy from the earth to make all of the things that we use in everyday life.  Some things are useful for short periods of time while other things last much longer.  Sooner or later, however, everything ends up as waste and further waste is generated in their production and use.
 

This Life-Cycle chain is outlined in this diagram and it shows that there are environmental consequences at each link in the chain.  History shows us that the amount of waste generated increases with economic growth and so the challenge for us all is to live more sustainably so that we reduce our resource use at every available opportunity.  

We need to live on the ‘interest’ generated by the earth’s resources rather than eating into the ‘capital’ if we are to leave enough for the generations yet to come.