principles.php

<!--PAGE LANGUAGE:  ENGLISH
Content Page template: v.1.0.1-->
  
<!-- TRANSLATORS:   Look for untranslated text inside HTML tags.  In other words <a tag>any content text between markers like these</a tag>.  Don't worry about translating these comments.  Be sure NOT to translate english page names, file names, div names, div class names, or html syntax.-->
 
<?php require_once ("../includes/principles-inc.php");?>

<!--Once translation is completed, you can remove the line below to take the translation notice off the page-->
<?php require_once ("under-construction.php");?>


<!--SPLASH SECTION-->

<div class="splash-content-block">
	<div class="splash-box">
		<div class="splash-heading">Our Regenerative Principles</div>
		<div class="splash-sub">Ecobricking is guided by principles that point us towards ever increasing harmony with the ecological cycles of which we are a part.</div>
	</div>
	<div class="splash-image"><img src="https://www.ecobricks.org/svgs/earth-home-animated-v4.svg?v=2" style="width: 100%;"></div>	
</div>
<div id="splash-bar"></div>


	



<!-- PAGE CONTENT-->

<a name="top"></a>
<div id="main-content">
<!-- The flexible grid (content) -->
	<div class="row">
		<div class="main">

		<div class="lead-page-paragraph">				
			<p>Guided by regenerative principles, ecobricking doesn't just prevent pollution, as a hands on experience of the regenerative principles, it embodies our transition from petro-capitalism to a green new world.</p>
		</div>

		<div class="page-paragraph">
	
		<p>The South East Asian ecobrick movement emerged out of the ancestral lands of the Igorot people in the Northern Philippines.  Inspired by their <a href="/ayyew">ayyew ecological ethos</a>, the work of the Global Ecobrick Alliance has come to be guided by regenerative principles to rise above the old paradigm of plastic 'waste'.  Instead, through ecobricking, our daily plastic becomes a valuable opportunity to follow the <a href="plastic.php">the Earth's example</a> of care.</p>
        
		</div>


		
			<a name="EARTH-EXAMPLE"></a>
            <div class="reg-content-block" id="block1">

                <div class="opener-header">
                    
                    <div class="opener-header-text">
                    <h4>Following the Earth's Example</h4>
                    <h5>We strive to emulate the ways the Earth cared for its carbon to green the biosphere.</h5>   
                    <br>
                    </div>

                    <button onclick="preclosed1()" class="block-toggle" id="block-toggle-show1">+</button>
                </div>

                <div id="preclosed1">

                <div class="row">
						<div class="main2">
						<div class="lead-panel-paragraph"><p>For the last billion years, the Earth has been slow and steady greening the surface of our common home.</p></div>
						
						<p>The way that the Earth has cycled and stored carbon has led to the blossoming of the biosphere– while providing us an example to follow to ensure their own processes are green!  With our plastic-- which happens to come from the Earth's ancient carbon stores-- we can emulate the Earth’s example and participate in the continued enrichment of our common home.</p>

						 

						</div>
						<div class="side2"><img src="../webp/earthen-400px.webp" width="100%">
						</div>
					</div>
					<div class="row2">
						<div class="main3">
						<p>Ecobricking is guided by the five Earthen Ethics:</p>
						</div>
						<div class="side3"><img src="../webp/earthen-400px.webp" width="150px">
						</div>
					</div>
				
				<p><ul>
					<li><b>Cycles that Spiral:</b>  In the same way that the Earth tended its carbon towards cycles of indefinite reuse, so too can we with our plastic.  By packing our plastic into ecobricks and circular buidlings, we can ensure that our plastic is  indefinitely reusable.</li>

    				<li><b>Towards Concentration:</b>  In the same way that the Earth steadily subtracted, compacted and secured loose carbon into long-term, concentrated storage so too can we with our plastic.  By compacting and concentrating our plastic into a bottle we can make make sure our plastic's carbon doesn't get loose through dumping, buring or recycling (where it eventually ends up loose again).</li>
    
					<li><b>For Biosphere Benefit:</b> In the same way that the Earth’s cycles dispersed more energy out-to-all to enrich than they saved for themselves, so to can we with the enterprise of managing our plastic.  Rather than manage our plastic for personal or company profit, we can be sure to ecobrick first and foremost for the benefit of our local ecosystem and the global biosphere.</li>


    				<li><b>Towards Diversity:</b>  In the same way that the Earth’s cycles of carbon led to more and more biodiversity, so too can we ensure that our cycles of ecobricked plastic do the same.  Rather than put our plastic to use just for humans, we can build green spaces that provide a common home for us, animals and plants!</li>

    				<li><b>Towards Awareness:</b> In the same way that the Earth cultivated higher levels of consciousness, so too can we manage our plastic!  Rather than just throwing it away, we can count how much we use each month, how much we ecobrick and track our transition from plastic and the petro-capital system that it represents.</li>

				</ul>
				<br><br><hr>

			
				<h5>ℹ️ Learn about: <a href="plastic.php">The Long Story of Plastic</a></h5>
				<h5>ℹ️ Learn about: <a href="https://earthen.io/imagine" target="_blank">Earthen Ethics</a></h5>


                </div>
            </div>



			<a name="LEADING"></a>
            <div class="reg-content-block" id="block2">

                <div class="opener-header">
                    
                    <div class="opener-header-text">
                    <h4>Leading by Example</h4>
                    <h5>Be the change you want to see in the world.</h5>   
                    <br>
                    </div>

                    <button onclick="preclosed2()" class="block-toggle" id="block-toggle-show2">+</button>
                </div>

                <div id="preclosed2">

				<div class="lead-panel-paragraph"><p>
					We strive to lead by example with our plastic transition and regenerative living.</p></div>
					
					<div class="row">
						<div class="main2">
						
						<p>Ghandi challenged us all to <i>“be the change you want to see in the world“</i>.  Simple and powerful, this is a fundamental principle of the ecobricking movement.  As plastic consumption is something that connects us across continents and cultures,  what we do with our plastic, our own stories of transition, provide a shinning beacon for others to follow.</p>
						 
						</div>
						<div class="side2"><img src="../pngs/community.png" width="100%">
						</div>
					</div>
					<div class="row2">
						<div class="main3">
						<p>By leading by example in following the Earth's example, we can be a powerful inspiration.</p>
						</div>
						<div class="side3"><img src="../pngs/community.png" width="150px">
						</div>
					</div>
					
						<p>Especially, when our example is amplified by our plastic accounting.  After all, how can we be sure our examples are actually worthy of being followed?  For this reason, we strive to track the plastic we consume, produce, ecobrick and offset to make sure our their net impact is in fact green.</p><br><br>

						<hr>

						<h5>🟢 Our <a href="/catalyst">catalyst program</a> allows oraganizations, projects and enterprises to lead by example with their plastic accounting.</h5>
						<h5>🟢 Tracking ones personal or household <a href="transition.php#score">plastic transition score</a> is a way to lead by example.</h5>

                		</div>
           		 </div>


			<a name="LOCAL"></a>
            <div class="reg-content-block" id="block3">

                <div class="opener-header">
                    
                    <div class="opener-header-text">
                    <h4>Local & Replicable</h4>
                    <h5>Low tech, carbon-negative, open and accessibly methodologies</h5>   
                    <br>
                    </div>

                    <button onclick="preclosed3()" class="block-toggle" id="block-toggle-show3">+</button>
                </div>

                <div id="preclosed3">

                <br>
                

                <div class="lead-panel-paragraph"><p>We strive towards accessible methods and means that are accessible to anyone, anywhere.</p></div>

				

				<div class="row">
						<div class="main2">
						<p>Every day thousands of tons of plastic flow into the biosphere. Meanwhile, the consumption of plastic and its production increase.  In order to be a deep solution to plastic, a regenerative solution must spread at a rate faster than industrial expansion and economic growth rates.  In order to maximize spread, adoption and collective plastic transition we strive to maximize the accessibility of our methods while minimizing the barriers to adoption. In this way, we empower others to make and build with ecobricks so that they can lead by their own example.</p>

						</div>
						<div class="side2"><img src="../webp/eb-sky-400px.webp" width="100%">
						</div>
					</div>
					<div class="row2">
						<div class="main3">
						<p>Our principle of local replicability encompasses several of our other principles.</p>
						</div>
						<div class="side3"><img src="../webp/eb-sky-400px.webp" width="150px">
						</div>
					</div>

    			<p><ul>
					<li><b>Localized:</b> By designing with local, organic or upcycled materials (that are ideally freely available) we remove resource barriers to replication.</li>

    			<li><b>Petro Transition:</b> By designing methods that do not require machines, we remove the barrier of technology, specific skills and dependence on petroleum based energy.
    			Transcaste: By designing our methods so that they do not require specialized abilities we remove age, gender and geographical barriers to replication and empowerment.</li>
   				 
				<li><b>Open Source:</b> By making our designs open source according to creative commons specifications and easily accessible on the web, we energize and accelerate replication.
    			Non-Capital:  By designing methods and using materials that do not require capital, we remove the financial barrier to participation and replication.  </li>

				<li><b>Local:</b>  We strive to use locally available resources in our community in the making of ecobricks and when we build with them.  Ecobricking is all about packing our local plastic.  This begins with the very plastic we have personally consumed, then extends to that consumed in our household and community. Ideally we use PET bottles that come from our community and a stick that comes from our area.  This way we transform plastic that would otherwise cause problems in our area with the minimum amount of energy and the maximum amount of social empowerment.</li>

			</ul>

				<p>When it comes to building with ecobricks, the same principal of localized sourcing applies.  We strive to use local materials, processes, skills and culture for our creations.  For example, we have developed the ecobrick tube banding method of bonding ecobricks to make use of the abundance of free and ‘waste’ motorcycle inner-tubes in South East Asia.  In the UK we learn from ancient earth building traditions of wattle and daub to combine ecobricks using local clay, straw and sand.</p>

				<p>By using materials, goods, services and products that come from within our community and ecological region we likewise minimize our dependence on capital and petroleum.</p>

                </div>
            </div>

			<a name="MANDALIC"></a>
            <div class="reg-content-block" id="block4">

                <div class="opener-header">
                    
                    <div class="opener-header-text">
                    <h4>Mandalic Collaboration</h4>
                    <h5>The Commodification of Sequestered Plastic</h5>   
                    <br>
                    </div>

                    <button onclick="preclosed4()" class="block-toggle" id="block-toggle-show4">+</button>
                </div>

                <div id="preclosed4">

				

				<div class="lead-panel-paragraph"><p>Our intentions are powered by mandalic community collaboration.</p></div>

				<div class="row">
						<div class="main2">
						<p>Leading by example leverages the full power of mandalic collaboration.  Sharing our example allows others to be inspired by our story, insights, practices and net impact.  In so doing we consciously place ourselves in the center of a replicating, social unfolding.</p>
						
						<p>There are different words for it in cultures around the world– the Igorots call it Obo’obo, in Africa its know as ubuntu, in Indonesia gotongrayong, in the Philippines Kawasan.  Whatever the term, the dynamic is the same: a community coming together to realize a shared vision and intention.</p>

						 

						</div>
						<div class="side2"><img src="../webp/mandalic.webp" width="100%">
						</div>
					</div>
					<div class="row2">
						<div class="main3">
						<p>Most often, this is an intention that is for the whole community’s benefit– such as building a bridge or a well.</p>
						</div>
						<div class="side3"><img src="../webp/mandalic.webp" width="150px">
						</div>
					</div>

						<p>In our case, it is our common intention of keeping plastic out of the biosphere.  By holding a mission that is to the benefit of individuals, people, communities and the planet, the GEA enables this formidable force to power the realization of its vision.</p>

						<p>This principle is in contrast to the means by which capital economy motivates and inspires participation through financial remuneration.  As a non-capital technology, ecobricking taps a deeper, more potent values such as community cleanliness, the health of children, the richness of the local ecology, to inspire participation, action and long term vision commitment.</p>

						<p>For example, these very words are translated into other languages– not because we have paid anyone– but because they are in full resonance with the ecological passion of others who, resonating with our mission and vision, have offered their linguistic and programming expertise to make this happen.</p>
                </div>
            </div>

			<a name="TRANSCASTE"></a>
            <div class="reg-content-block" id="block5">

                <div class="opener-header">
                    
                    <div class="opener-header-text">
                    <h4>Transcaste</h4>
                    <h5>Open to all</h5>   
                    <br>
                    </div>

                    <button onclick="preclosed5()" class="block-toggle" id="block-toggle-show5">+</button>
                </div>

                <div id="preclosed5">


				

				<div class="lead-panel-paragraph"><p>We strive to include men and women, young and old, rich and poor… and everyone in between.</p></div>

				<div class="row">
						<div class="main2">
						<p>In our methods, projects and intentions we strive to rise above old notions of roles and ability and accessibility.  We encourage the collaboration of  groups that are often perceived to have different social rankings (i.e. ‘castes’) to work together on a equal platform of participation.  In other words, rather than a child doing one task and an adult doing another, we design the method so that both can do it together.</p>
						<p>For example the work of making an ecobrick, making a module or building with earth are designed to be equally accessible to just about everybody– and in such a way that no one has advantage by virtue of skill, strength or experience.   In this way, men and women, boys and girls can be equally involved in the cocreative process without traditional castes causing alienation.</p>

						</div>
						<div class="side2"><img src="../photos/transcaste.jpg" width="100%">
						</div>
					</div>
					<div class="row2">
						<div class="main3">
						<p>This enables us to rise above old gender and generational divides to supercharge our collaborations with many variations of human creativity while further lowering the barriers of replication.</p>
						</div>
						<div class="side3"><img src="../photos/transcaste.jpg" width="150px">
						</div>
					</div>

						
                </div>
            </div>

			<br><br>
						
			<div class="lead-page-paragraph"><p><b>Sustainability vs Regenerative</p></b></div>

			<div class="page-paragraph">    
			
			<p>It can be helpful to better understand what we mean by regenerative by clarifying what it is now.  Ecobricking is often mistaken a ‘sustainable’ technology.  ‘Sustainability’  tends to refer to the virtue of enabling our current human systems and current way of life to continue.  Here, guided by the principles above, ecobricking technology is not this.  Instead, as regenerative technology, we strive to transition from sustaining the current human systems that deplete ecosystems to ways of living that enrich.</p>

			<p>In this way, our principles are not anti-industry, nor anti-petro-capital.  Without them, we would not have come to the principles we now hold.  We acknowledge that yesterday’s use of Earth gifted carbon has been an important formative phase that sets us on our current course-correction.</p>
			
			<div class="row">
                
                    <div class="main2">

			<p>With this we move on from sustaining.  In so far as our modern enterprises work in ways that conflicts with the Earth’s example of carbon care, we strive to transition from them.  We also strive to heal and ‘regenerate’ any past damage that we are responsible for.  Finally, in contrast to the sustainability’s focus on minimizing grey impacts, instead we strive in the ayyew spirit of syncing with Earth’s cycles to ever increase our green impacts.</p>

			<br><br>
			<p><a class="action-btn" href="/ayyew">🍃 About Ayyew</a></p>
			<p style="font-size: 0.85em; margin-top:20px;">Learn about the indigenous wisdom tradition that underlies the regenerative ecobrick movement.</a></p>
                    
		</div>

         <div class="side2">
			<br><a href=""><img src="../webp/mellenium-450px.webp" width="90%" alt="sustaining vs. regenerative" loading="lazy"></a>
			<p style="font-size: 0.85em; margin-top:20px;">How does ecobricking compare over a thousand years with other plastic management options?</a></p>
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


		</DIV>
		

		<div class="side">



		<div id="side-module-desktop-mobile">
				<img src="../icons/earthen-ethics-icon-ecobricks-org.svg?v=1" width="80%" alt="For-Earth Enterprise through eco bricking">
				<h4>Earthen Ethics</h4>
				<h5>Ecobrick principles are based on Earthen Ethics, the philosophy of folowing the Earth's example.</h5><br>
				<a class="module-btn" href="https://earthen.io/imagine/" target="_blank">Learn More</a>
			</div>

			<div id="side-module-desktop-mobile">
				<img src="../icons/eco-accounting-icon-from-ecobricks-org.svg?v=5" width="70%" alt="For-Earth Enterprise through eco bricking">
				<h4>Ecological Accounting</h4>
				<h5>Just as the Earth raised the awareness of interconnection of life, so too can we raise our our awareness of our impacts, by accounting for them.</h5><br>
				<a class="module-btn" href="https://earthen.io/imagine/" target="_blank">Learn More</a>
			</div>

			<div id="side-module-desktop-mobile">
				<img src="../icons/vitalize-biodiversity-icon-from-ecobricks-org.svg" width="70%" loading="lazy" alt="supporting biodiversity">
				<h4>Vitalizing Biodiversity</h4>
				<h5>Just as the Earth has vitalized processes that diversify, so too can we.</h5><br>
				
			</div>
            

			<div id="side-module-desktop-mobile">
					<img src="../icons/for-earth-enterprise-icon-from-ecobricks-org.svg" width="70%" alt="For-Earth Enterprise">
					<h4>For-Earth</h4>
					<h5>Just as the Earth dispersed energy out to all, so too can we with our process that manage used plastic.</h5><br>
					
				</div>

			<div id="side-module-desktop-mobile">
				<img src="../icons/ecobrickable-icon-from-ecobricks-org.svg" width="70%" alt="Following the Earth's example through eco bricking">
				<br><h4>Towards Concentration</h4>
				<h5>Just as the Earth concentrated and secured carbon to green the biosphere, so too can we do the same with our plastic through ecobricking.</h5><br>
				<a class="module-btn" href="plastic.php">Plastic's Long Story</a>
                <br>
			</div>   

			<div id="side-module-desktop-mobile">
				<img src="../icons/cyclical-design-icon-ecobricks-org.svg" width="64%" alt="Following the Earth's example through eco bricking">
				<br><h4>Cyclical Design</h4>
				<h5>Ecobricks and all their applicatins are designed for cycles of indefinite reuse.</h5><br>
				<a class="module-btn" href="/circular">Circular Design</a>
                <br>
			</div>   



		</div>

	</div>
</div>



	<!--FOOTER STARTS HERE-->

	<?php require_once ("../footers/footer-$lang.php");?>


<!-- CUSTOM PAGE SCRIPTS-->

<!-- This script is for pages that use the accordion content system-->
<script src="../scripts/accordion-scripts.js" defer></script>


</div>
</body>
</html>