CradletoCradlePrinzipien

The Cradle to Cradle principle is an industrial and product design philosophy that seeks to eliminate waste by redesigning products to be endlessly recyclable. Instead of a linear "take-make-dispose" model, it envisions a circular economy where materials are continuously reused. This concept was introduced by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart in their 1998 book "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things."

The core idea is to view products and materials as nutrients that can be safely cycled through either biological or technical systems. Biological nutrients are materials designed to decompose and return to the earth, enriching soil and ecosystems. Technical nutrients are materials that can be recovered and reused in industrial processes without losing their quality.

Key to the Cradle to Cradle principle are five categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and climate change, water stewardship, and social fairness. Products are evaluated and certified based on their performance in these areas. The goal is to create products that are not just less harmful, but actively beneficial to the environment and human well-being. This approach encourages innovation in material science and manufacturing processes, aiming for a regenerative system rather than a merely sustainable one.