Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
Authors: Michael Braungart, William McDonough
Why did I choose the book?
I chose the book because of my bachelor thesis topic, which was the circular economy and sustainability more specifically in the garment industry. If we are talking about circular economy the book Cradle to cradle plays a significant role.
"Cradle to cradle is a law of return but with materials rather than food-crops.”
The Cradle to Cradle principle described here is contrasted with a practice common among authors, particularly from the 18th to the 20th century, which has been described as the Cradle to Grave movement. It is an analogy between two principles of production: circular and linear.
What is the book about?
The book is about the way goods are manufactured. The main idea is to design products and systems in a way that mimics nature, where waste from one process becomes a resource for another. This book challenges the traditional linear model of production and consumption, which is referred to in the book as the "cradle to grave" approach. This model embodies a linear pattern where products are made, used and then discarded.
The ideas that struck me about the book:
The book begins with a description of the Industrial Revolution and the processes involved.
I was intrigued by the retrospective view of the Industrial Revolution. The book imagines how, if this period were recreated today, with our contemporary knowledge of its impacts, it would be viewed. This exercise in reversing the course of time, of looking back from the present, aware of the impact this phase of human history has had on the planet, is revealing.
Key concepts of the book include:
Biological and technical nutrients: McDonough and Braungart argue that there are essentially two types of materials: biological nutrients, which can be safely returned to the environment, and technical nutrients which can be recycled and reused within the industrial system.
Design for abundance: McDonough and Braungart emphasise the importance of designing products and systems that lead to abundance and reduce scarcity. Well-designed systems can, in their opinion, have positive effects on both the environment and human society.
Regenerative Design: Regenerative design, whereby human activities contribute positively to the ecosystems and communities of which they are a part, rather than operate to their detriment, is explained and promoted.
Closure:
"Cradle to Cradle" has been very influential in encouraging thinking about environmental issues and promoting and encouraging sustainable design. Architects, designers and businesses have been inspired to rethink their approaches to designing and manufacturing products with attention on creating more sustainable products as well as promoting a regenerative future.
