British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Cradle to cradle design definition

Definition: Cradle to Cradle Design is all about manufacturers thinking of ways to make things using processes that are environmentally more sustainable, just and equitable. The factories that make the products that we use need energy to do so - Cradle to Cradle Design includes thinking about how to reduce the amount of energy that is needed and/or using renewable sources, like solar energy, as opposed to burning coal, which is bad for the environment. Vast amounts of water are also often used in industry and so those involved in designing the manufacturing process think about ways to use less water. Another example (of Cradle to Cradle design) is making sure that employees are fairly paid and well looked after so that working conditions are more equitable and socially just. Products themselves can also be designed using natural materials that mean they are more sustainable. Consumers are encouraged to use products for longer and not dispose of them quickly; if and when products are no longer needed, making them from natural resources means they are more biodegradable and therefore less harmful to the environment as waste.

For example, I recently bought some Christmas cards which were made of paper from sustainable woodland. The cards themselves had carrot seeds in the paper which meant the person who got the card could tear it up and plant the paper and grow their own carrots; no need to throw anything away. Another example is the manufacture of mobile phones - in the future these could be made more and more from natural resources. When we buy a new handset we return the old one to the shop so that it can be broken up and some of the raw materials reused. These are all examples of the concept of Cradle to Cradle Design.