A Closed Loop System

The authors of Cradle to Cradle seem to have taken the idea of “green technology” a step further, by advocating an economic system that is green from start to finish. Hence the name “Cradle to cradle”: from beginning of a product’s life to the end of a products life and from the start of a production system to its end, zero or positive environmental impact should be the result.

First, they argue that the Industrial revolution system is a “cradle-to-grave” design and all along the production system we are harming the environment. When we throw the product “away” there really an “away” doesn’t really exist.

Second they argue that eco-efficiency is not an effective way of saving the planet. “Reduction does not halt depletion and destruction—it only slows them down,” and over time the harmful effects will still be noticeable. To reuse wastes means to simply transfer them to another place. Recycling is ineffective for a number of reasons, not least of which is that when materials are recycled they become of lower quality and are less useful. Regulation is also ineffective because it hinders economic growth of industries, and cannot compete with unregulated industries.

Instead of eco- efficiency, the authors advocate “eco-effectiveness.” Eco-effective systems and products would function like a Cherry Tree, in that it gives back to the environment. It is a closed loop system that uses the earths resources and then gives back to the soil that will help it continue to grow. The authors say that humans have the potential to create systems and products that give back to the environment and also help its own production or use.

I believe that they are on the right track, because their solution directly confront the problems the environment is facing. They are right that reduction, reuse, recycling, and regulation will not solve the problems on their own. What we need is a closed system that gives back to the earth at least if not more of what we take from it. I look at it as simple math. Lets simplify the earth’s complex system into a number that represents everything the earth has to offer us (resources, sinks, fertile land, natural services…). Lets say the earth has 100 units to give us. In a “cradle-to-grave” system every year we may extract 1 unit and replace .5 unit. This means the earth will be unable to support us in 200 years. However, if we have a “cradle-to-cradle” system we would be extracting .5 unit and replacing .5 unit or more, allowing the earth to support us indefinitely.