Cradle to Cradle* is a vision that inspires and motivates us. The theory
is pretty simple. We all know that on a finite planet, we can't consume resources
infinitely. That's obvious. But Cradle to Cradle begins with the assumption that
our problem is not that we are too many or that we consume too much, but that what
we consume is not designed properly.
Cradle to Cradle asserts that it's OK to use highly technical materials, products
of human ingenuity and creativity, as long as we keep them in closed loop "technical
cycles". Natural materials should likewise be cycled through a closed loop "biological"
cycle. Any material that gets introduced to the biological cycle, like something
that goes down the drain or into the air, should be designed to be compatible, or
better yet, fecund, in the natural environment.
What's so inspiring, and so important, about the Cradle to Cradle methodology, is
that it's a positive vision for the future, where people can enjoy an enhanced quality
of life and environmental and social sustainability. It reconciles the long-standing
trade off between being green and living with abundance and joy. For far too long
the green movement has been about sacrifice, going without those things that are
bad. Cradle to Cradle is about redesigning the stuff that we consume so that it's
good. If you do that, then making and using wonderful things that make us happy
becomes a good thing, not something we need to feel guilty about. Cradle to Cradle
states that "sustainability" is just the beginning; what we are really pursuing
is sustainable abundance.
This is a philosophy that we apply to every method product, and to the business
itself. Method was one of the first companies to be recognized as a Cradle to Cradle
company, meaning that we build the Cradle to Cradle design into everything we do,
from the ingredients we select for our products to how we manufacture them. We currently
have over 40 products Cradle to Cradle Certified CM, among the most
of any company in the world. And by 2015, we want all the products we make to be
Cradle to Cradle Certified.
* Cradle to Cradle® is a registered trademark of MBDC.
Cradle to Cradle Certified CM is a certification mark of MBDC.
To learn more about Cradle to Cradle,
click here.
