the Cradle to Cradle map What advantages does C2C offer my organization? Make a profit
What is C2C in a nutshell?
C2C helps producers and products to add value to their environment. C2C promotes awareness that the supply of primary and secondary materials is finite. C2C helps to get people involved in sustainable development by approaching it in a positive manner. C2C, being open source, helps to share experiences and to find increasingly better solutions. C2C helps to cut costs through intelligent (re)designing. C2C helps to increase returns, because it offers new opportunities.
C2C means ‘from cradle to cradle’ and was conceived of as a response to the ‘cradle to grave’ mode of thinking. C2C was developed by Michael Braungart en William McDonough, among other in the book ‘Cradle to Cradle’. C2C is a new vision of sustainable development: leaving the world a better place than we found her. C2C is a way of working: designing and producing in such a way that no waste is created. C2C is a way of thinking: doing things well instead of less badly. C2C is an optimistic vision: growth is fine and feasible, as long as our positive contribution is greater than what we use. C2C solutions are good for ecology and the economy and have added social value. C2C is a response to a tradition of critics such as the Club of Rome, who foresee limits to growth.
Responsible growth C2C helps to grow and, at the same time, helps to take responsibility for the planet. C2C helps to grow and, at the same time, helps to take responsibility for ourselves.
WhiCh goals does C2C have?
What Working method does C2C offer my organization?
Leaving the world in a better state than we found her
Intelligent design
C2C solutions work on the basis that humans, as part of the system, should enrich the world rather than impoverish it. C2C solutions maintain or increase diversity, for humans and for nature. C2C solutions do not involve harming people and the environment; not elsewhere and not in the future.
Think and work in a ‘synchronized’ manner: about everything at once, on everything at once, with everyone at once. Avoid the use of raw materials that are harmful to human and ecological health. Design in such a way that you can easily take products apart and use the raw materials again. Design and produce in such a way that materials remain in their biological or technological cycle. Avoid mixing materials that are difficult to separate from each other.
Ecology: adding ecological value
What is Cradle to Cradle (C2C) and what can it do for my organization?
Intelligent production Avoid waste of raw materials and energy, thereby cutting costs as well. Make optimal use of local facilities; this reduces the burden on the planet and often reduces costs. Use the complete chain to join up cycles. Respect people and employ them optimally, thereby reducing healthcare costs and absenteeism. Use clean, sustainable energy via procurement or by generating it for yourself.
Intelligent marketing Create a new market for used raw materials, thereby eliminating waste. Consider selling the function or the use of your product, instead of the ownership of it. Innovate and thereby improve your competitive position.
C2C solutions join up the biological cycle: biological materials are degradable without damage to the environment. C2C solutions join up the technological cycle: safe materials can safely be recycled.
Economy: adding economical value C2C solutions are (potentially) profitable: they reduce costs or increase returns.
Social: adding socio-cultural value C2C solutions contribute to justice: between people and between generations. C2C solutions offer people a healthy living environment in the production and use of a product. C2C solutions offer pleasure, in work and in the use of products.
What mode of thinking does C2C offer my organization? Ambitious Do things well instead of merely ‘less badly’. Do things better than is required for your own immediate success. Don’t change the recipe, change the menu: instead of designing a new car, design a new transport concept. Respect the maker, transporter and user of your product. Set goals for the long term, for example ten or fifteen years’ time. Weigh every action against the (future) effects on yourself and on the environment.
What ConCepts does C2C use? Eco-effectiveness: offering ecological, economic and socio-cultural added value. Eco-efficiency: minimizing the damage to people and the environment. The Biosphere: the sum total of all biological materials. Biological cycle: the cycle in which biological materials are extracted from nature, used and returned to nature. The Technosphere: the sum total of all synthetic materials and minerals.
Optimistic
Technological cycle: the cycle in which technological materials are extracted, exploited and (re)used. Upcycling: the recycling of materials in such a way that they retain or increase their value and waste is eliminated.
Focus on growth and development, not on limits: positive growth is good. Work on the basis of opportunities and challenges, and learn from each other’s mistakes and results. Respect and enjoy biodiversity and diversity of cultures, desires and needs.
Downcycling: the recycling of materials in such a way that they eventually lose their value (the usual way of recycling). Intelligent design: designing products in such a way that, in their production and/or use, they add value to the system they are a part of. X-list: a list of toxic substances that cause harm.
Realistic
P-list: a list of substances that are safe to use.
Be as good as you can be with what is available. Don’t get caught up in feelings of guilt, but use your capabilities to make a contribution. Don’t wait for others, take responsibility yourself.
commissioned by:
This Information Map was created on the basis of literature study and information brought forward by panels of experts on the Cradle to Cradle concept. The experts were invited to take part by the Cradle to Cradle taskforce of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and Agentschap NL. De Argumentenfabriek thanks all the participants for their contributions.
produced by:
© 2010