Running head: PLANT CHICAGO

Plant Chicago
Jeoffery Walton
International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI)
BE/SO-425: Seminar on Business and Society

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On 21 May 2016, I visited the Plant Chicago located on 1400 W 46th Street, Chicago,
IL 60609. I found out that the Plant Chicago partners with businesses to provide a
sustainable environment through community-driven, hands-on programs and innovative tech
demonstration projects. Plant Chicago is a non-profit organization established in 2011 by
John Edel. His company, Bubbly Dynamics, LLC, is also owner and operator of The Plant.
Between The Plants staff and many volunteers, they have years of experience in building,
teaching, and revitalizing urban communities.
Their mission is to develop circular economies of food production, energy
conservation, and material reuse while empowering people of all backgrounds to make their
cities healthier and more efficient (plantchicago.com).
From the outside, The Plant resembled an abandoned build, but we were soon greeted
by a very helpful young lady who invited us inside. Upon entering the door, I was
immediately taken back by a strong smell that immediately reminded me of animal manure.
Looking up to the ceiling of the building, I saw signs of what I suspected was a building
previously used for industrial production. Soon my attention was drawn to the two standing
coolers in the center of the room, with what appeared to mushroom protruding from plastic
bags.
The young lady then has begun to explain to us in several scientific terms that were
difficult to for me to understand. However, she explained that the purpose of The Plant was
to use waste to produce consumable foods, such the mushrooms in the coolers. She
explained that by reusing natural waste products, they are able to grow mushrooms and other
garden vegetables. All foods in The Plant are eatable and they supply them through the
farmers market that is normally held on weekends. She stated that the food produce are very
much sustainable and they cost very little to produce as natural waste is used to grow them.
For instance, she explained that the mushrooms are grown using saw dust. After being

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placed in the coolers at night degrees, the bacteria forms, and the mushrooms grow on the
outside of the bags. Each bag produces various weights of mushrooms over a period of time
until they are sold for consumption.
We were then walked downstairs where we were shown how aquaponics farm is
located. There we were shown various vegetables being grown in water from the nutrients of
fish waste. She explained that waste from the live fish pools are used to grow the plants, as it
settles and forms nutrients in the base of the plant pots for the plants to feed on. Tilapia is the
fish of choice in the growing of the plants, as they are more adoptable to surviving in under
such conditions. We were led outside where we were shown how the use decomposes cutting
from trees to mix with soil for the growing of plants. She explained that water is trapped in
the wood and releases slowly over a period. This method reduces the use of water need for
growing plants.
According to our guide, The Plant is one of many plants across the U.S. and it is
currently being used as an experimental plant. However, the owners are optimistic that
system in use is sustainable and they anticipate that growth will be rapid in the near future.
According to the authors Lawrence, A.T., & Weber, J. (2014), in order for mankind to
survive over time we must become environmentally friendly and operate sustainably. It is
essential for businesses not to work in isolation, but rather in partnership with the boarder
society in order to persevere the earth today and for future generations to come.
The services of Plant Chicago would be very beneficial to the Cayman Islands
because we do not currently have a proper waste program. Currently, most of our waste
produced in the islands is dispose of without in consideration for the environment. For
example, mostly everything that is consumed by residents is disposed of in the landfill.
Although, there have been some strives to go-green, only a small fraction of our waste is
recycled.

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Reference

Lawrence, A.T., & Weber, J. (2014) (p.212, 213). Business and Society:Stakeholders, ethics,
public policy (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill