In this episode I speak to Rachel Platin, who is an expert on the application of the “Cradle to Cradle” (C2C) concept. Rachel works as the Projects & Scientific Director at the EPEA where she helps companies and other organizations to apply the C2C methodology to their products & systems.

Cradle to Cradle is method for creating, consuming, and disposing of products that involves no harmful waste or damage to the environment. Products are developed in such a way that their creation has a positive impact on the environment (if any impact), and at the end of their lives the products become resources for creating new C2C products.

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In this episode we discuss:

Rachel’s background and how she ended up working with C2C

A detailed explanation of what C2C is

How the extent to which we can recycling can be improved and less expensive by changing the design of products (beginning with their end in mind)

The industries in which it’s easiest to apply C2C

How the EPEA helped a carpet manufacturer to create carpets that can contain no harmful chemicals, can be recycled almost indefinitely while reducing costs and improving air quality.

How the “biosphere” cycle where waste eventually becomes food can be created in the “technosphere”

How the EPEA helps companies to ensure that their entire supply chain is using environmentally friendly components

How consumers can find C2C certified products

How anyone can help with spreading C2C

Resources to learn more

Resources mentioned in this podcast: