GreenBiz profiles the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute and “new era” of Cradle to Cradle certification

Here’s an excerpt of the GreenBiz story by Joel Makower:

The venerable and rigorous Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified program entered a new era January 1, with a major revision that encourages continuous improvement.

That’s not the only major change: The program also added the first third-party assesser, other than ones affiliated with the originators of the standard — McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) and EPEA Internationale.

That company, Washington, D.C.-based consultancy ToxServices, has already signed two contracts for C2C Certified assessment services and a third is waiting in the wings, said founder and chief toxicologist Meg Whittaker. “No one is too good to get on a continuous improvement plan,” she said.

There are five categories under the C2C certification: Material Health, Material Reutilization, Renewable Energy Use, Water Stewardship and Social Responsibility. There are five tiers of participation, ranging from Basic to the highest achievable level, Platinum.

Read the full article here.

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William McDonough + Partners is the architecture practice founded by William McDonough; he is also active with Cradle to Cradle consulting through MBDC and provides CEO and governmental advising through McDonough Advisors.