Blog 2
During the Better Lives unit, we were introduced to many professionals in different fields and has discussed topics including diversity, sustainability, and social responsibility in different perspectives.
It has definitely broadened my thinking on these areas and as I reflect on my own course, I realize that there are many things we could improve and change in the industry.
As a 3D Effects student, we often expose ourselves to chemicals that can be harmful to the human body. Therefore, basic protective equipment’s like overalls and gloves are essential. Other materials we use a lot like plaster and clay are also disposable and cannot be recycled. In our daily practice, gloves, plastic measuring cups, and other disposable products are widely used. Most of them are plastic products, and all of them are non-degradable. After every practical session, the amount of waste our class alone produce alone can fill several large garbage bags. That is already a considerable amount of waste that can’t be decomposed. Imagine the amount of waste we produce each year, the amount of waste our school produces. What about the whole industry. The answer is unthinkable.
Although in recent years, people have gradually become more and more aware of the environmental problem and the importance of protecting the environment, it is still far from enough to change this situation fundamentally.
The Better Lives sessions have let me start to wonder whether we can find ways to access new materials and learn techniques on the basis of minimizing waste, to change the situation that has existed for many years. Whether it is possible to use the degradable materials as raw material to replace the old ones, whether new materials can be reused on the premise of sufficient quality, and whether new technologies/techniques can reduce waste produced during the manufacturing of the material. These are the problems we should think about and solve.
As young people who are about to enter this industry, we have the responsibility and obligation to make some bold attempts and innovations to try to improve the current situation. We will see a significant difference in society if every one of us makes small changes. Together, we can have a better future.