Consumption of Resources

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the Industrial Ecology lecture notes from the University of Texas at Austin.

Industrial Ecology

A metaphor emphasizing the design of industrial systems that mimic natural ecosystems' mass conservation and material cycling.

Life Cycle Assessments

Tools used in Industrial Ecology to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life.

Material and Energy Flow Analyses

Analyses focusing on the flow of materials and energy within industrial sectors, economies, and individual businesses.

Hidden Flows

Flows mobilized by economic activity that do not enter commerce, such as agricultural runoff and mining overburden.

Stock Accumulation

Refers to the collection of materials, or stock, that can be used in the production of goods over time.

Waste to Raw Materials

The concept within Industrial Ecology that suggests treating waste as potential raw materials for other processes.

Material Flow Accounts

Accounts that cover flows into and out of the economy, allowing for the tracking of material usage and accumulation.

Emissions

The release of substances, including pollutants, into the air, water, or land as a result of economic activities.

Developed Countries Resource Consumption

Typically consume between 40-80 tons of materials per year per person.

One-Pass System

A system where most materials are discharged into the environment after a single use without recycling.