From a throwaway mentality to a sustainable mindset: the cradle-to-cradle principle offers a sustainable approach for a consistent circular economy.
"Cradle to cradle" means "from the cradle to the cradle" - in other words, from origin to origin. The cradle-to-cradle principle stands for a consistent and waste-free circular economy in which raw materials can be reused - without harming the environment.
In 2002, German chemist Michael Braungart developed the vision of the perfect cycle together with US architect William McDonough. They orientated themselves on nature - because it leaves no waste behind in its biological cycles.
Recycle or throw away?
Unfortunately, our society has developed in exactly the opposite direction. We are currently living in a "throwaway society" that produces a lot of waste between fast food and fast fashion. This cycle is also known as "cradle-to-grave", which translates as "from the cradle to the grave".
Items that are still in working order end up in the rubbish and future generations will continue to have to deal with the problem of waste. The aim is not just to shift down a gear, but to create a continuous cycle for sustainable production. The aim is not only to prioritise the initial purpose of a product, but also to incorporate possibilities for the reuse of raw materials right from the development stage.
Biological and technical cycle
The cradle-to-cradle principle distinguishes between two closed cycles: the biological cycle and the technical cycle. The resources of both cycles are returned to the respective cycle after use.
The biological cycle
Consumer goods are designed from the outset to be reusable in the biological cycle. These can be compostable products made from organic material, such as compostable T-shirts, cosmetic products or packaging. The company Trigema for example, has a compostable T-shirt in its range.
The technical cycle of sustainability
Technical consumer goods are all about the recovery of "technical nutrients". Chemical or mechanical processes can be used to reuse consumer goods. Steelcase, for example, offers the "Think" office chair, whose fabric is 100% compostable. The remaining components can be recycled.
What role does wood play in the cradle-to-cradle principle?
As wood is a natural material, it can be returned to the biological cycle - completely. Even entire houses made of wood are no longer a rarity. The manufacturer Thoma for example, offers the "Holz100 houses", which are free of toxic building chemicals and are completely geared towards sustainability.
Wood is not only used in the construction of houses, but also for fittings such as windows and doors. GARANT offers a diverse range in which different types of wood and surfaces are used. In door production, GARANT favours the conscious use of natural resources. A sustainable energy policy is also of central importance. Reducing energy consumption is an important part of the company's policy.
Efficient and environmentally friendly: how energy is used at GARANT
Eco, FSC and Co. certificates confirm GARANT's sustainability
Using energy efficiently and thus saving valuable resources and expenditure are key objectives for door manufacturer GARANT. With this goal in mind, we are consistently and continuously driving forward the energy-saving process.
GARANT also refrains from importing raw materials and can thus avoid CO2 emissions. Great importance is also attached to a sustainable approach to the forest ecosystem and forest managers, as all processed raw materials have various environmental certificates, for example the Eco-Institut label.
Would you like to find out more about GARANT's approach to sustainability? Herewe give you an insight into our sustainability strategy.