LAB+4


 * Write six paragraphs, one on each stage of the 'materials economy', and define its interactions. (6 paragraphs/one stage each paragraph)**


 * Extraction**: Extraction refers to the very first stage in the process of production whereby the natural materials/raw materials/natural resources are taken up from their source for the making of the product. Annie Leonard refers to this as 'trashing the planet' because extraction of resources is what takes away the finite natural resources that we have left on this planet. Increasing populations around the world has resulted in an increase in consumption and therefore production. However, it is not just because of population increase. As stated by Annie Leonard, we are consuming too much and due to this there is a constant need of extraction for the process of production to take place. Therefore extraction is the primary process in the materials cycle which involves the taking up of the raw materials for the process to begin.


 * Production**: The next stage is the production whereby the materials are taken from the extraction phase and made into products with the use of energy and other 'toxic substances'. Most products that we use are made with some form of a chemical to combine the raw materials together to create the product, which is why Annie emphasizes how dangerous it is because there are toxic substances in almost every product.


 * Distribution:** After the production of the product, it is then distributed across sales through low prices so that it sells of quickly and the extraction, production and distribution chain keeps going. These 3 interact to produce a product and then finally reach the consumer through sales. Distribution is often assisted through externalization of costs which is why we often see products that should be of a certain expensive price, but we see them for cheaper.


 * Consumption**: This is the 'golden' phase as stated by Annie because this is what fuels the entire system. The consumers allow for more extraction, production, distribution and then more consumption again. There is too much consumption at the moment which is why there is more extraction and more production. More extraction is causing the stripping off of our resources and more production is harming our environment with toxic waste and chemicals. Further, the distribution phase only adds to the increasing consuming population, therefore not bringing an end to the cycle.


 * Disposal**: the final stage results in the disposal of the waste. Due to excessive consumption there is also excessive waste. A lot of the waste is incinerated but this is bad as it harms the environment. Disposal stages are fuelled more and more with the rest of the stages and also due to increase in consumption because more and more products are being made through the stages mentioned above, which is only adding more to the disposal percentage.

These are the stages that define the materials economy. They are all interrelated and function as each stage depends on the previous and the next.