Resource depletion: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:41, 31 January 2023

What is resource depletion?

Resource depletion is the consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished. Natural resources are commonly divided between renewable resources and non-renewable resources).

Types of depletion

Aquifer depletion (Aquifier is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or unconsolidated materials like gravel, sand, or silt.)
Deforestation
Mining for fossil fuels and minerals
Pollution or contamination of resources
Slash-and-burn agricultural practices
Soil erosion / degradation
Excessive or unnecessary use of resources.

What should be improved to reduce or stop resource depletion?

Resource efficiency means using the Earth's limited resources in a sustainable manner while minimizing impact on the environment. It allows us to create more with less and to deliver greater value with less input.

There are the ways resource efficiency can be accomplished?

Material efficiency, focus areas:
Energy efficiency
Water efficiency resulting in Water stress

Type of Materials where resource efficiency can be reached?

Material sources
- Plants used for materials like vegetables, fruits, flowers, wood, resin, latex are obtained from plants and trees.
- Animals used for materials like animal skins, meat, bones, raw milk, wool.
- Earth used for materials like minerals, metals, rocks, crude oil, coal, water.
Raw materials
- Same or not the same as production materials, examples: Petroleum, Silk, Leather, ...
Production Materials - components, subassemblies, parts, other supplies and any industrial services required for the manufacturing of Finished Goods and Shippers.
Finished Goods - Finished goods are products that have completed all aspects of the production process, and which are being held for sale. A finished good can consist of one or more parts:
- Durable: have a life span of over three(?) years and are used repeatedly over time. E.g. Fridge, TV, Bike, Chair, Phone, Brush.
- Disposable: a product designed for a single use after which it is recycled or is disposed as solid waste. E.g. Wipes, Diapes, Toilet paper.
- Consumable: Can be used only once, examples are food and detergents. E.g. Toothpaste, Soup, Detergent
- Packaging: Used to transport use the durable, disposable or consumable. E.g. tube, bottle, carton
Handling Units - used for shipping, storing and displaying other material types.
- Cases/cartons/trays /...
- Displays
- Dolly's & Pallets

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 == What should be improved to reduce or stop resource depletion? ==
-We need to start using natural resources responsibly, so they can support both present and future generations. One of the areas to focus on is '''resource efficiency''' (use less, use better) in 3 areas:
+Resource efficiency means using the Earth's limited resources in a sustainable manner while minimizing impact on the environment. It allows us to create more with less and to deliver greater value with less input.
-*Material efficiency
-*Energy efficiency
-*Water efficiency
-== Material Efficiency ==
+=== There are the ways resource efficiency can be accomplished? ===
-How can we use less virgin materials, in other words, how can we make sure we become fully circular in regards to discreet products/goods. Goods can be split into 4 types:
+*Material efficiency, focus areas:
-* Durables: have a life span of over three(?) years and are used repeatedly over time.
+** [[Eco-design]]
-* Disposables:
+** [[Circularity]]
-* Consumables: Can be used only once, examples are food and detergents
+** [[Foodwaste]]
-* Packaging
+*[[Energy]] efficiency
+*[[Water]] efficiency resulting in [[Water stress]]
-=== Packaging ===
+== Type of Materials where resource efficiency can be reached? ==
-Packaging is a function fulfiller that is added to a product with the aim of allowing this product to bridge time and distance at the desired cost and environmental impact, whereby the packaging ensures that the end user can ultimately use the product in acceptable quality. (Source: Ten Klooster, 2008) Packaging fulfills the following functions for the packaged product:
+* '''Material sources'''
-* Packaging makes it possible to use the packaged product
+** Plants used for materials like vegetables, fruits, flowers, wood, resin, latex are obtained from plants and trees.
-* The packaging protects (preserves) the packaged product
+** Animals used for materials like animal skins, meat, bones, raw milk, wool.
-* The packaging makes it possible to transport the product
+** Earth used for materials like minerals, metals, rocks, crude oil, coal, water.
-* The packaging informs about the packed product.
+* '''Raw materials'''
+** Same or not the same as production materials, examples: Petroleum, Silk, Leather, ...
+* '''Production Materials''' -  components, subassemblies, parts, other supplies and any industrial services required for the manufacturing of Finished Goods and Shippers.
+* '''Finished Goods''' - Finished goods are products that have completed all aspects of the production process, and which are being held for sale. A finished good can consist of one or more parts:
+** '''Durable''': have a life span of over three(?) years and are used repeatedly over time. E.g. Fridge, TV, Bike, Chair, Phone, Brush.
+** '''Disposable''':  a product designed for a single use after which it is recycled or is disposed as solid waste. E.g. Wipes, Diapes, Toilet paper.
+** '''Consumable''': Can be used only once, examples are food and detergents. E.g. Toothpaste, Soup, Detergent
+** '''[[Packaging]]''': Used to transport use the durable, disposable or consumable. E.g. tube, bottle, carton
+* '''Handling Units''' - used for shipping, storing and displaying other material types.
+** Cases/cartons/trays /...
+** Displays
+** Dolly's & Pallets