Last winter, I read a heavy book (literally heavy in weight and content). While the typical 200-page paperback weighs about 6 ounces, this softbound book weighed in at twenty-one ounces. “Cradle to Cradle” was published on synthetic paper. The pages were made from plastic resins with inorgainc fillers that made it waterproof, extremely durable, and carried a promise of recyclability. The inks were formulated to be washed off and recaptured.

Why go to these lengths? What makes this book so important? “Cradle to Cradle” was written by chemist Michael Braungart and architect William McDonough with a challenge to the world to think backwards from the finished product.

Cradle to Cradle explains a sustainable theory of manufacturing to eliminate the concept of waste by designing things, products, packaging, and systems from the very beginning with the understanding that waste does not exist. The valuable nutrients contained in a product’s shape or packaging should never make it to the landfill grave but instead be reincarnated.

The challenge is not to Reduce, Reuse or Recycle, but to eliminate the concept of waste by environmental design.

Consider the following: “A biological nutrient is a material or product that is designed to return to the biological cycle. It is literally consumed by microorganisms in the soil and by animals. Most packaging (which makes up about 50 percent of the volume of the waste stream) can be designed as biological nutrients. The idea is to manufacture these products from materials that can be tossed on the ground or compost heap to safely biodegrade after use. There is no need for shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes, yogurt containers, or other packaging to last decades (or even centuries) longer that what came inside them. Why should individuals and communities be burdened with downcycling (recycling into a different product of lesser value) or landfilling such material?

“Worry-free packaging could safely decompose or be gathered and used as fertilizer thus bringing nutrients back to the soil. Shoe soles could degrade to enrich the environment.”
Soaps and other liquid cleaning products could be designed as biological nutrients as well. Dirty wash water would flow down the drain, pass through a wetland for further cleansing then end up as clean water in a lake or river supporting the balance of the ecosystem.

In addition to products and packaging, Braungart and McDonough challenge the manufacturing process. Environmental Regulators concentrate on the “end-of-pipe” controls that measure emissions and wastes. They devise standards for acceptable levels of contaminates in our air and waste streams.

Braungart and McDonough encourage cleaner and healthier factory designs where there are no emissions or waste at the end of the manufacturing process.

As some American factories become green, they still may import parts from countries without such regulations. For example, an exercise machine may contain materials that emit banned substances as you exercise. Consider a treadmill that is assembled in the United States which may contain rubber belts from Malaysia, chemicals from Korea, motors from China, adhesives from Taiwan and wood from Brazil.

Did VALCORE buy this book? No, instead I checked it out from the library. It is an incredible book and should be read by anyone who wants to help take care of this planet.

After you read the book, pick a product that you would like to be more environmentally friendly. Call the company and your national representatives and let them know we are ready for a Zero-Waste society. “One call a year, that’s all I ask.”

EARTH DAY THANK YOU
VALCORE would like to thank the following for their financial support, physical help and participation for our incredible Earth Day celebration on April 26: Mayor Intintoli, Council Members Donahue and Rey, Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District, Farmers’ Market, Vallejo Garbage Service, and Vallejo Recycling/WMI. Participants from the City of Vallejo included our Recycling Coordinator, Water Conservation Program, Maintenance Division, Code Enforcement, and Landscape Division. Thanks to Solano County Integrated Waste Task Force, Loma Vista Farm and Garden, Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, Sierra Club/Solano Group, Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, Vallejo Community Arts Foundation, USDA Forest Service, Solano-Napa Commuter Information, Vallejo Times-Herald, Six Flags Marine World, Turn-Around Products, Pacific Gas and Electric, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Solano Habitat for Humanity, Bay Area Ridge Trail, Green Belt Alliance, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Solar Flair, California Native Plant Society/Jepson Chapter, Area Agency on Aging, Vallejo Neighborhoods Improvement Program, and Adventure Hikers. Thanks to Mel and Belle Orpilla for providing the sound system and thanks to the Recycled Generation musicians: Dave Froehlich, Ed Rosenback, and John Kolarik, with unexpected vocals by Kristi Juliano.