Achieve Quote by David Korten
“To achieve true sustainability, we must reduce our "garbage index" - that which we permanently throw away into the environment that will not be naturally recycled for reuse - to near zero. Productive activities must be organized as closed systems. Minerals and other nonbiodegradable resources, once taken from the ground, must become a part of society's permanent capital stock and be recycled in perpetuity. Organic materials may be disposed into the natural ecosystems, but only in ways that assure that they are absorbed back into the natural production system.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Great Turning" by David Korten, 1999
Sustainability requires turning waste into permanent capital, creating closed loops for minerals and recycling organics responsibly.
In simple terms: Make waste a resource, not a dump.
Key Takeaway
Design closed‑loop systems.
Themes
sustainability
economics
environmental stewardship
Mood
analytical
forward‑thinking
serious
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- industrial manufacturing
- urban planning
- product design
Key Concepts
circular economy
resource management
ecology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can your business close its loops?
- What materials can be repurposed?
A Different Perspective
Transition costs can be high.
