In Rob van Hattum's documentary, architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart propose a business model in which waste equals food, mirroring the life cycle in the natural world. In their vision, the waste generated by business, industry, technology, and consumers, is returned to the earth in a safe and beneficial manner. Braungart compares this “intelligent product system” to the “waste” of cherry blossoms, which fall and give nutrients to the soil. During interviews, McDonough and Braungart introduce their ideas and describe various projects, such as designing buildings that operate like trees, developing ice cream cone wrappers that liquefy at room temperature, and creating plans for environmentally sustainable cities in China. Representatives from various companies also talk about how they have been influenced by McDonough's and Braungart's thinking. For instance, Nike's John Hoke shows off the Nike Considered line, which are not only easier to recycle than normal shoes but also contain biodegradable materials. And spokespeople for both Ford Motor Company and Herman Miller (furniture manufacturers) offer resounding praise for their new McDonough-designed digs, extolling the natural light, plant-covered roofs, and organic filtration of waste water. Mostly, Waste = Food serves up praise for these cutting-edge sustainable design concepts, while also talking to those who can afford to implement them (but never asking, however, whether buying $185 Nike Considered Air Jordans is a good thing). A useful introduction to influential new ideas shaping the business world, Waste = Food is recommended, particularly for larger business collections. Aud: C, P. (J. Wadland)
Waste = Food
(2006) 51 min. DVD: $390. Icarus Films. PPR. Volume 23, Issue 4
Waste = Food
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