Dematerialization recognizes that there are finite limits to the amount of resources we can extract from our planet, and that a system built upon the premise of unlimited consumption of natural resources is unsustainable. Policies that not only increase resource productivity (using less of the earth’s resources to deliver services and products for well-being) but also direct more activities to achieve an improved quality of life that is not based on increased consumption of materials, will allow continued economic growth, and help redress the imbalance in resource consumption between industrialized and industrially less developed countries.

During the Congress, you will be asked to consider the following strategic direction:

4	That Metro Vancouver lead in developing and implementing strategies such as Zero Waste and international advocacy for cradle-to-cradle manufacturing that shift our region away from a system of extract-use-and-discard.
3	That local agencies and institutions other than Metro Vancouver lead in developing and implementing strategies such as Zero Waste and international advocacy for cradle-to-cradle manufacturing that shift our  region away from a system of extract-use-and-discard.
2	That national and international agencies and institutions set policies to increase resource productivity: for instance, including the true costs of the things we make, use and dispose of, including environmental impacts, in product pricing.
1	That market forces and technology drive innovation, including the development of alternative products and materials with which to make them.
0	That we turn our attention to other issues - dematerialization is not of critical concern to our region.

RESOURCES

Below is a sample of research projects, initiatives and organizations about dematerialization and related topics. The list is neither exhaustive nor definitive and is provided for the purposes of stimulating discussion

 Factor 10 Institute

 United Nations Environment Program – Resource Efficiency 

 Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production: Priority Products and Materials (Summary Document), June 2010, United Nations Environment Programme (Resource Panel)