It’s probably safe to say first principle thinking is one of those phrases you’re either familiar with or have never heard at all.
Popularized by innovators the likes of Elon Musk, at its core, first principle thinking is about breaking down complex issues to their simplest forms.
Say what you will about Mr. Musk, just stop and think about that for a minute. First principle thinking is simply breaking down complex issues to their simplest forms. Or to borrow from an oft-quoted proverb—a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
In our advanced age as a company—all seven of them—this concept is nothing short of mind blowing for us at Food Loops. That’s because the sheer amount of waste generated each and every day is also mind blowing. However, shifting to a first principles way of thinking can be the key to shifting us away from our throwaway culture to one that prioritizes recycling and sustainability, benefiting both the environment and the economy in the process.
So what exactly does first principle thinking look like in action? It’s about finding core truths of a problem then building solutions from the ground up. In terms of waste management, this means understanding the materials and processes involved in their production and eventual disposal. Starting here at the core of the issue, we can create more sustainable practices.
We’ve already seen a huge impact of this approach at Food Loops. By identifying core issues, then focusing on collecting food waste and substituting compostable products for single-use items like styrofoam and non-recyclable plastics, we’ve helped our customers increase their ability to divert upwards of 90% of their waste from the landfill.
Again, think about that.
Identifying core issues significantly boosts recycling rates to cut down landfill waste. What’s more, according to the National Resources Defense Council, community programs that use first principle thinking have seen a 20% increase in their recycling rates.
Consumer education campaigns based on first principle thinking have also shown a 30% higher participation rate in recycling programs. As reported by the Journal of Environmental Psychology, first principle thinking encourages a deeper understanding which in turn makes it more attractive for people to not only adopt but maintain sustainable habits.
If it’s so important to break down complex issues to their simplest forms, how does that translate for us—the average Joe & Jane consumer, as well as corporate offices, restaurants, caterers, or venue and event planners—people who just want to make a daily difference in terms of their environmental footprint?
Though not quite as succinct as the acronym designed to help remember the names of the 5 Great Lakes, please consider the following:
5 Basics of Recycling
- Material Identification – Simply put, garbage in, garbage out. But are there items that can be replaced by something that’s recyclable? Sustainable? Reusable? (Hint: Yes, yes, and yes.)
- Efficient Collection Systems – What’s the best process to collect & sort? (Spoiler Alert: This is Food Loops’ entire mission.)
- Advanced Sorting Technologies – Robotics. (The Jetson Age is not only coming; it’s here & making incredible advancements every day.)
- Innovative Recycling Processes – Digesters and de-packagers. (And if these 2 words are unfamiliar to you, stay tuned.)
- Sustainable Product Design – Less packaging due to using reusable, recyclable materials. (No further explanation needed but didn’t want it to feel left out from the other points above.)
Indeed, there’s much to ponder when it comes to thinking about our thinking. For more information on these topics or anything else to do with thinking about your thinking, shoot a note to Tom Rohr, CEO of Food Loops at Tom@foodloops.net. Or better yet! Go old school and give him a call at 479-621-5642.