A Bigger Slice

It has been reported that humans, in spite of concerns about climate change and species loss, are now annually consuming more than 100bn tonnes of the Earth's materials (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/22/worlds-consumption-of-materials-hits-record-100bn-tonnes-a-year). This record total includes hydrocarbons, metals, wood and building materials. Somewhat counterintuitively, given the messages we receive, the proportion that is recycled is falling.