cradle-to-cradle

Read the book Cradle to Cradle, by Michael Braungart and William McDonough. This chemist/architect pairing began in the late 80's and early 90's when these two were amongst many people trying to figure out ecologically sound solutions for product design and mass produced goods. The two began brainstorming about ways to create/build product so that they could be disassembled into biodegradable and recyclable components. The main objective behind this would be to close the product loop, so that nothing is thrown out at the end (there is no end). This is in contrast to recycling, which while valuable, still produces waste, doesn't stop its product from being thrown out post-use, and creates pollution of its own. The current system, therefore, is called cradle to grave.

This book touches on the most important changes to be made within manufacturing industries, building industries, and the general public/society, as outlined by Braungart and McDonough's philosophy:


1. There are two alternative for the life cycles of products, depending on if they are biodegradable or not. biodegradable products are made purely of biodegradable materials, and can be thrown out by the consumer upon consumption without worry or specific location. These products must be composed of safe materials and chemicals, both during and post-use. Other products may contain some less safe materials and chemicals, though offgassing of these chemicals must be minimal. Also, such chemicals as dioxins and carcinogens (but I thought everything was a carcinogen...) are strictly prohibited from use in any product. These synthetic products can be upcycled, meaning they can be reused in a constant cycle, in the same composition or a higher-level use than previously. Currently, recycled materials tend to be of lower quality than their predecessors. Biodegradable and non biodegradable components may be combined in the same product, but only through easily and safely detachable physical bonds.

2. Production facilities must be safe for workers and the surrounding community, and should be active participants/contributors to the community. New production systems can be implemented that do not use toxic chemicals. Factories and other buildings can utilize environmentally friendly building materials and technologies, and can use "sustainable" infrastructure such as solar/wind/micro-hydroelectric energy, composting waste, water capture/reuse/treatment.

3.Ecology, Equity, and Economy can and should work hand in hand, but they should be equal in priority within a manufacturer's operations. To balance these 3 ideals is to create a truly successful business model that is not unsustainable. Businesses can approach this balance from any angle, but the end result should be equality of purpose.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, printed on paper and plastic impermeable pages, and am now more willing to think beyond the general guidelines of what is sustainable, into the realm of what is effective, regenerative, and therefore more attractive/feasible.

My one complaint with the cradle-to-cradle system is the lack of effort in engaging the public, and even companies themselves. Perhaps because it is just one business engaging with other businesses, the public scope is too large. In the place of cradle-to-cradle's detailed and specific studies, a third-party rating system similar to LEED has emerged, called SMaRT (run by MTS, or Market Transformation for Sustainability). While it may not seem so from the unfriendly website, these ratings are easier to understand than cradle-to-cradle, but rely on a lot of paperwork, and less research by the third-party. The research and product development comes from the company itself; all MTS and other parties do is study the information they are given and assessing points based on a system. More standardized, but not necessarily as helpful on a case-by-case basis.

Either way, it seems a revolution in product design and manufacturing is happening. Hopefully the general public wakes up to this and begins to overhaul their living in the same way.