Has the Sustainability Movement Jumped the Shark?

Still not sure if your products are truly green, the Green Products Innovation Institute or (GPII) is here to help. Founded in 2009, and recently unleashed by none other than the "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, the institute promises that:

"rather than focusing on how industry can become “less bad,” the Institute is set up to be a resource for those who aspire to be “more good” and achieve new levels of environmental and human health and safety for all products sold in California."

The institute is the brain-child of William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart, who developed the Cradle to Cradle system (yet another method for rating the sustainability levels of various products including office furniture).

Pretty far reaching objectives, and lofty rhetoric, and lots of various and sundry methods and processes for evaluating, rating, legislating, and creating non-profit organizations, etc... etc... Beginning to wonder if the Sustainability Movement is in the process of "Jumping the Shark..."

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What Does Cradle to Cradle Mean for Office Furniture?

The current concept of Cradle to Cradle was introduced by architect William McDonough and his colleague, German Chemist Dr. Michael Braungart in their 2002 book Cradle to Cradle, Remaking the Way We Make Things.

In its simplest form, Cradle to Cradle is a method of re-thinking how we make things. In essence it breaks materials into two categories:

A) Technical Nutrients: which are non-toxic, non-harmful materials that can go through continous use cycles without breaking down (for instance aluminum in a chair frame)

B) Biological nutrients: which are organic materials that can be disposed of in a natural environment and will decompose into the soil.

Mcdonough and Braungart posit that the recycling process is really "downcycling" where materials are continually reduced in form until they can no longer be used and ultimately become waste. In contrast, the Cradle to Cradle process creates no waste and leaves no waste.

Which bring us to the Office Furniture world: MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) is the primary 3rd party body that certifies products as Cradle to Cradle. Some current examples of Cradle to Cradle certified office furniture are the Stride workstation line from Allsteel

and the Acuity seating line from Allsteel:

Both of these product lines offer high quality sustainable products at a "standard" price point.

Cradle to Cradle manufacturing processes and products show the on-going commitment to sustainability that the office furniture industry has embraced.

For more information regarding a complete list of Cradle to Cradle certified office furniture, please contact me at john@samclar.com.

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