Jones,+Russell+Film+Annotation+I+(Gone+Tomorrow)

Russell Jones Sustainability Problems Film Annotation I February 5, 2010


 * The film //Gone Tomorrow: the Hidden Life of Garbage//, released in 2002 and directed by Heather Rogers, conveys the argument that recycling is not as prominent and sustainable as our culture believes. With this issue, the film conveys that waste is a growing issue. The film highlights technological, ecological, economical, political, and cultural sustainability issues. The introduction of the film displays how our society believes that recycling is simple and very effective, however this is not the case. From a technological standpoint, the efficiency of recycling can be increased by using less energy to break down recyclable waste and reproducing new containers, whether plastic, paper, or glass.
 * Along with the issue of inefficient recycling, waste that cannot be recycled is a growing issue as waste is stored in landfills in the ground as well as in the ocean, causing ecological harm through groundwater leeching and other toxic issues. Waste in the ocean is harm to oceanic ecosystems. Political and cooperate interests are also portrayed as misleading to the public in regard to the issue of recycling.
 * The most persuasive and compelling parts of the film were the details about the growing tons of waste in landfills and the ocean as well as the rapid decrease in resources. The least compelling part of the film was the explanation of cooperate green-washing. The issue is not necessarily the cause of the cooperation’s, it is society’s issue, and feasible, profitable alternatives to planned obsolescence can be developed.
 * The film inspires people to seek out more information on how recycling can be improved as well as dig deeper in the issues of the obstacles facing technological development for sustainable products. The audience best addresses those who recycle regularly as it encourages them to do more. It fosters an imagination in viewers of the ability to change the issue of waste in many different ways. The film suggests decreasing our dependency on plastics and perhaps reinstating glass as a common beverage container, as well as educating the public about how recycling doesn’t justify our dependency on plastics and other recyclables. The film can change perspectives on recycling however it does not have the publicity in order to have a mass effect on the population’s view of environmental problems. The film could have included more information about research efforts towards technological developments and waste reduction.