It is often said that man must pay a high price for progress. But is it really necessary? If progress would mean the self destruction of our society, then we are better off without it. Aren’t we supposed to live happier and healthier? Or shall we live to destroy ourselves?
One of the worst problems that affect our relationship with Mother Nature is the solid waste disposal dilemma. By the law of nature, waste must decay and return to the soil. However, the ingenuity of man changed that.
Man, in order to make his life more comfortable, unwittingly invented non-biodegradable materials that endanger all living species in this planet. As the world gets smaller in this phenomenal computer age, mega boom of trade and commerce between countries never had it so good. Negative consequences and positive risks were no longer considered. Profit is the prime and sometimes the sole consideration.
Modern technology is churning synthetic materials that find their way into our homes. The problem gets worse with time. In many parts of the world, recycling has become a necessity, a process that helps clean the environment.
City councils of environment conscious cities in the world banned the use of polystyrene in food retailers and restaurants and prohibit the use of food packaging materials perceived to be not environmentally acceptable. The use of plastic grocery bags and bottles is likewise discouraged.
Solid waste disposal is as much a psychological problem as it is a technical problem. Perhaps a change in our habits in the interest of all may save us from the danger posed by the rising garbage dumps.
Though it may not be the solution to the problem, I have been taking the pleasure of putting my waste materials into good use. For sculptures, I mix paper with cement. The fiber from the paper makes the art piece strong and non-brittle. Shredded plastics can be used as part of the armature. It’s a simple case of converting waste materials into art materials.