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Sustainability in 7: William McDonough on Cradle to Cradle Design

By Core Jr - April 11, 2011

in Sustainable Design | Sustainability in Seven

The Designers Accord Sustainability in 7 video series delivers a daily dose of design inspiration by today's leading sustainability experts. Join in the conversation as they share 7 things every designer should consider when integrating sustainability into design practice.

William McDonough needs no introduction for anyone with an interest in environmental design: he's been exploring sustainability through architectural practice for some twenty years now, and his insights are more relevant than ever. In this edition of Sustainability in 7, William McDonough discusses the notion of "Cradle to Cradle," covering everything from reversing entropy to butterfly hatcheries.

About William McDonough

William McDonough is the founding principal of William McDonough + Partners, a design firm practicing ecologically, socially, and economically intelligent architecture and planning in the U.S. and abroad. McDonough has won three United States presidential awards: the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development (1996), the National Design Award (2004); and the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award (2003). He and German chemist Michael Braungart wrote Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things and founded MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), a consulting firm.

Check out: Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

The Designers Accord is a global coalition of designers, educators, and business leaders working together to create positive environmental and social impact. Adopters of the Designers Accord commit to five guidelines that provide collective and individual ways to integrate sustainability into design. The Designers Accord provides a participatory platform with online and offline manifestations so that members have access to a community of peers who share methodologies, resources, and experiences around environmental and social issues in design.

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Susan Galbraith

12 years ago

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I borrowed a copy of McDonough's book, Cradle to Cradle, from the library but didn't finish reading it because I found the book so unpleasant.

Instead of being printed on paper, Cradle to Cradle is printed on a heavy synthetic material that is (according to the book's own claims) recyclable. In the real world, however, it is NOT recyclable, because there is no labeling to indicate the natural of the materials. Note to Mr. McDonough -- traditional wood pulp-based paper IS recyclable.

Another deficiency is that the book is very heavy, adding to the fuel that had to be burned to transport it. It probably weighed at least 50% more than a traditional paperback of the same size.

Third, and possibly most important, re-use is preferable to recycling, and is probably the fate of most good books..... But never mind, I withdraw this last criticism. Had I purchased Cradle to Cradle, I would have done my best to recycle it.
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dave

13 years ago

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How much of the money saved by by Ford's green roof was reinvested into building more cars and how is it cradle to cradle?

I'd also like to see some of the examples of where values and principles have changed post C2C process.
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