Cradle to Cradle is Possible!

I really like the Cradle to Cradle message that McDonough and Braungart spell out in their book. I think that although it seems optimistic, it is achievable. Today we are in a cradle to grave economy, a one way, linear system in which things are designed for the dumpster. They say that 90% of durable goods become waste almost immediately (29). Manufactures try to impose universal design solutions, and a brute-force approach to designing. In this scenario, all approaches should be the same, and specialized circumstances do not come into play. I really notice this fact each time I go to the grocery store. Everything comes individually wrapped, in 5 layers, and as soon as I open my food, I immediately throw the packaging away. There has to be a way to do this in a smarter, greener fashion. It is possible!


In the movie The Next Industrial Revolution we got to see these design principles in action. A building was designed to generate more power than it used, carpet was designed to be chemical free and of biodegradable materials, and even Nike and Ford have signed on to change some of their manufacturing. If giant corporations like Nike and Ford Motor can try these methods, anyone can. It might take a little extra money, but at such a large company that will probably go unnoticed. I believe the authors are on the right track, and that design is truly the first signal of human intention. Let’s design a world where we waste less, and let’s try to stop being bad in the first place, instead of simply “less bad”. With all the doom and gloom that comes along with this class (it’s the truth, what can you do?), it is refreshing to see people who are working in a positive way for change. It can be done, and hopefully it will be done!