The ideas in this book are refreshing and optimistic.
The authors, William McDonough and Michael Braungart, propose that factories,
homes and consumer products can be redesigned so that they are actually beneficial
to the world. This is in contrast to the approach of attempting to regulate
industries and minimize environmental damage. Instead of trying to cause "less
harm" the authors instead propose that we can live abundantly by designing
products that are "nutrients" over the course of their life — from
their manufacture to the their disposal.
He gives the example of a cherry tree, which grows abundantly, and drops
many blossoms on the ground — a seemingly wasteful act. But because
the "waste" is biodegradable, the tree actually provides nutrients
to the soil in the end.
The book itself an example the kind of change they envision — it is
printed on "paper" made of polypropylene (a plastic resin). The
idea is that the ink can be easily removed and the polypropylene continuously
cycled into new books. The book is also waterproof. A friend of mine proved
this by jumping in the pool and reading it while afloat.
An intriguing read.
Available from: Amazon
Book Review: "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things"
Book Review: "Cra…
Book Review: "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things"
Book Review: "Cra…
Book Review: "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things"
Book Review: "Cra…
Book Review: "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things"
Book Review: "Cra…
Plyfold Containers: Trans-Meta-Effective
These folding containers, can be made flat for travel or storage, and then refolded into three-dimensional containers. Made with recycled leather and Climatex Lifecycle Felt, the containers are completely biodegradeable. Climatex Lifecycle Felt is made…