What is Cradle to Cradle?
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is a sustainability philosophy in which products and materials are designed so that, after use, they can be fully reused in either a biological or a technical cycle. The concept was developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart.
Two cycles
- Biological cycle — materials that can safely biodegrade and return to nature (compostable timber, bio-based insulation)
- Technical cycle — materials that can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality (metals, certain plastics)
The guiding principle is that waste does not exist: every material is a resource for something new.
Applications
Cradle to Cradle is increasingly applied in the construction sector:
- Building materials — C2C-certified products such as carpet tiles, insulation and paint
- Design for disassembly — buildings designed so that materials can be recovered after demolition
- Materials passport — documentation of all materials used, for future reuse
- Circular housing — complete dwellings designed according to C2C principles
C2C certification
Products can achieve a C2C certificate at five levels: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The assessment considers material composition, reusability, energy use, water use and social conditions.
Related terms
- Sustainable building
- Circular economy
- Bio-based building
- Life cycle
- Recycling
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