design industry 2009: MIRANDA: POST FIVE - Cradle to Cradle/Cradle to Grave

Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is where a product is made – used – thrown away – and then reused without harming the environment in anyway and with out the materials losing quality as they do in re-cycling (down cycling). The product is back to where it started, endlessly reused. This idea is taken from what happens in nature where WASTE = FOOD, the product is designed so there is no wastage. The components are seen as either 'biological nutrients' that safely re-enter the environment or as 'technical nutrients' which can be recycled or reused with no loss of quality. Instead of the product harming the environment it is benefiting it.

How products are ‘scored' under the C2C idea:
GREEN (A-B)
Little to no risk associated with this substance.
Preferred for use in its intended application.
YELLOW (C)
Low to moderate risk associated with this substance.
Acceptable for continued use unless a GREEN
alternative is available.
RED (X)
High hazard and risk associated with the use of this
substance. Develop strategy for phase out.
GREY
Incomplete data. Cannot be characterized.

Examples of Cradle to Cradle products:
Len-Tex’s Surface iQ Wall coverings

The only printed commercial grade wall covering to have the Cradle to Cradle certification.

gDiapers earned the first and so far only certification for baby care products with their flushable/compostable diaper lining.

gDiapers have no elemental chlorine, perfumes, smell or garbage, and the damp ones can even make good compost. They recommend that the brown ones always get flushed down.

Cradle to Grave (C2G) is basically the opposite of the C2C idea. The product is made – used – thrown away - and then that is the end of the cycle. The product is designed without long term consideration to the end of its life, which results in it becoming waste requiring disposal in landfill. The materials used lose there quality and most if not all are non-beneficial for the environment. The product harms the environment rather than benefiting it.