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Running head: THE PLANT

Crystal McField
International College of the Cayman Islands
Seminar on Business and Society

Reflection Paper The Plant


BE 425
LECTURER: Dr. David Marshall
Date: May 20, 2016

THE PLANT
On Friday, May 20, 2016, the seminar class visited The Plant. I was very excited for this
excursion. We travelled on the Red Line train system, took public transport and walked two
blocks in an urban community to get to the facility. I was ready to see the green houses and how
they sustain their facility by using waste materials.
Plant Chicago is a non-benefit association set up in 2011 by John Edel. His organization,
Bubbly Dynamics, LLC, is the owner and administrator of, The Plant, a historic nourishment
generation space intended to be a net-zero, shut circle framework in Chicago's Back of the Yards.
(Plantchicago.org)
As we approached the building I began to wonder if were in the right place. I noticed
plants such as basil and other herbs growing along the fence line and a white tent to the back. But
it was sparsely vegetated. As we entered the facility I must admit and say I was highly
disappointed. There was a small refrigerator with mushrooms growing out of a bag. I was
amazed by this as I have never seen anything of the nature before. Mycology is the official term
used when referring to growing mushrooms.
The mission of the company is to maintain sustainable food production, energy
conservation and the reuse of waste material. The companys focus is to reuse waste material
from one section and find ways to use it in another. I was very intrigued that they breed their own
tilapia fish and white shrimp to sustain their vegetable garden by using the waste water which is
called aquaponics.
This was very interesting as the vegetables being grown were green and vibrant; I always
thought that produce had to grow in soil. The Plant also houses other tenant which makes use of
reusable waste as well. There is a brewery and British-style bakery along with the mushroom

THE PLANT
farm and shrimp farm. The bakery uses wheat which it grinds into flour on site and gives the
outer shell to the aquaponics farm to reuse in the making of fish food. Another interesting piece
was the anaerobic digester. This machine will be used to sustain the facility by using waste and
repurposing it into energy.
From explanation the machine will use waste products along with bacteria to release a
biogas which will be used to generate electricity. The Plant is a work in progress facility that I
feel will be a great example of sustainability and raise environmental awareness in the future.
In the Cayman Islands we are seeing more initiatives and awareness around local
produce. There is a newly constructed farmers market facility for local farmers to sell their
goods. The government has also invested in local farmers by aiding and supporting their needs.
There are duty-free concessions for registered farmers who import machinery, irrigation supplies
and a host of other necessities in order to run their business. The text, also speaks of sustainable
development which is defined as the need for balance between economic progress and
environmental protection. Economic development must be accomplished through sustainability,
protecting and conserving the earths resources for future generations. (Lawrence, A. pg. 213)

THE PLANT
References
Lawrence, A. & Weber, J., (2014). Business and society: Stakeholders, ethics, public
policy (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

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