Cradle2Cradle – A Definition

Cradle2Cradle design is a biomimetic approach to the design of products and systems.

It models human industry on nature’s processes viewing materials as nutrients circulating in healthy, safe metabolisms.

It suggests that industry must protect and enrich ecosystems and nature’s biological metabolism while also maintaining a safe, productive technical metabolism for the high-quality use and circulation of organic and technical nutrients.

Put simply, it is a holistic economic, industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not only efficient but also essentially waste free.

The model in its broadest sense is not limited to industrial design and manufacturing. It can be applied to many aspects of human civilization such as urban environments, buildings, economics and social systems.

Further information about Cradle2Cradle may found at http://www.mcdonough.com and various other locations on the web.