Blog preview · Research commentary
The Illusion of Throwing Away
Where Does All Our Stuff Really Go?
We work hard to acquire things. We spend time, money, and energy maintaining and organizing them. Then, when we no longer need them, we simply throw them away.
But where exactly is “away”?
Removing possessions from a home or workplace can restore order. It does not necessarily eliminate their environmental costs—or the resources already invested in them.
Have we eliminated waste, or merely moved it beyond our line of sight?
A developing white paper examines this question through systems thinking, Lean, mottainai, and collective responsibility.
Register to read the expanded preview →Publication status: An associated article is being prepared for professional journal consideration. The complete white paper is not yet posted.