Standard Owner Benchmark - CRADLE TO CRADLE PRODUCTS INNOVATION

Cradle to Cradle is an innovative approach to product design and manufacturing that aims to create products that are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible throughout their entire lifecycle. It was developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart in the early 2000s.

The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is a nonprofit organization that promotes and certifies products that meet the Cradle to Cradle principles. It was founded in 2010 and serves as a global hub for advancing the adoption of the Cradle to Cradle framework.

The Cradle to Cradle approach is based on the idea that products should be designed with the intention of being continually recycled or returned to nature, eliminating the concept of waste. It emphasizes five key aspects:

Material Health: Products should be made from materials that are safe for human health and the environment, both during their use and after they are disposed of.

Material Reutilization: Products should be designed to use materials that can be easily and effectively recycled or composted, reducing the need for virgin resources.

Renewable Energy: Products should be manufactured using renewable energy sources to minimize their environmental impact.

Water Stewardship: Products should be designed to minimize water usage and protect water quality throughout their lifecycle.

Social Fairness: Products should be manufactured in a way that promotes fair labor practices and social equity.

The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute offers a certification program that assesses products against these principles. Products can achieve different levels of certification: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, depending on their performance in various categories.

By promoting Cradle to Cradle design principles and certifying products that meet these criteria, the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute aims to drive innovation and encourage companies to adopt more sustainable practices. The goal is to create a circular economy where materials are continuously cycled, waste is eliminated, and products are designed with the well-being of both people and the environment in mind.