A critical component of Cradle to Cradle® product design is the selection of materials and chemicals. How the materials used in buildings and products are chosen, acquired, used, and eventually redeployed can have a profound effect on environmental performance.
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) will review publically available information to create this guidance document. The analysis examines materials and products in the categories of Human Health, Ecological Health, Nutrient Potential, Recycled/Renewable Content, and Energy Strategy, and Social Fairness to create a system for comparison.
These categories match those used by MBDC in Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program for products. However, the level of analysis in this check for Cradle to Cradle® potential is less rigorous. In order for products to become Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM, companies contract directly with an accredited consultant like MBDC to review the chemistry, water, energy, social fairness and industrial processes of their products. Here, the burden is on the manufacturer and their supply chain to disclose complete and accurate information. Often, in order to maintain company confidential information detailed chemical and materials analysis information is typically proprietary and only available under confidentiality agreements.
With the Internal Check for Cradle to Cradle® Potential, this guidance evaluation is based on the manufacturers’ published catalogue cut sheets, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and information readily available on manufacturers’ websites. Thus, the evaluation is broad and limited by available information. Should the evaluators believe additional data is required, it is noted in the text.