Eager to know what products are currently incorporating C2C strategies after reading Cradle to Cradle, I set out to do a bit of internet research, expecting to be blown away by numerous innovative products. Instead I found a lot of criticism directed towards William McDonough for thwarting many designers eager to implement their C2C designs because of his legal ownership of the term.

Roger Cox, a Dutch attorney and ardent C2C advocate, has declared that “there’s a need for the founding fathers of C2C to change their closed and proprietary approach of C2C. Urgently.” According to a letter posted by Roger Cox on Duurzaam Gebouwd, a sustainability blog based in the Netherlands, the lack of market competition due to the exclusivity of C2C could be to blame for the relative paucity of new regenerative products on the marketplace, when compared to the massive critical acclaim generated by the book.

A listing of Cradle to Cradle Certified products and materials approved by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), a consulting company founded by the authors of Cradle to Cradle can be found here. Herman Miller, Steelcase and Method Products are among the list of companies with C2C Certified products. On the other hand, an extensive article about the hegemony of Michael McDonough and MBDC can be found at Fast Company.

However, similar to the case of LEED Certification for buildings and interiors, couldn’t a product or material embody the principles of C2C design without being officially certified or even referred to as a C2C design? Wouldn’t this solve the proprietary issue or is riding the wave of hype about C2C really that crucial?

1. [...] By 1sillygreengoose ⋅ March 28, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment Despite my disappointment over the controversy surrounding Cradle to Cradle design principles, I did manage to find one fun C2C product that I [...]

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