How to get started on your journey towards sustainable transformation
The concept of “cradle to cradle” has replaced the earlier “cradle to grave” mindset – but what does it actually mean, and how do you begin ensuring circular economy and sustainability across all your products?
Many companies have “making a positive difference in the world” incorporated into their vision and mission. When translated into concrete actions, it is natural to examine whether the company’s products are sustainable – from the smallest component to the product’s overall functionality and durability.
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certification
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certification is a global standard for products designed to fit into biological or technical cycles and create value again and again. Since 2010, certifications have been overseen globally by the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute, an international non-profit organisation. A number of accredited local partners carry out the initial assessments; in Denmark one such organisation is Vugge til Vugge.
In the context of product development, Cradle to Cradle aims to ensure that:
- all materials in a product can fit into a circular economy and be reused to a significant degree
- the product does not release harmful substances during use
- and that the way the product is used also supports sustainability
For example, a car manufacturer may ensure that all materials used in the engine, chassis and interior are sustainably produced and can be recycled with minimal environmental impact. That is a good start – but if the car emits too much CO2 during use, the end result is still not sustainable.
A C2C certification also requires the manufacturing company to use renewable energy and respect human rights. The requirements extend beyond the company itself: suppliers providing components must also meet the criteria. Returning to the car example – it is not enough that the car manufacturer provides safe and fair working conditions in its own factories. If the seat covers are produced by a supplier using unsafe conditions or child labour, the car cannot be C2C-certified.
Achieving certification demands thorough, accurate and well-managed project execution – reflecting a company’s commitment to sustainability, circular production and the environment.
What you should consider before starting the C2C certification process
If your organisation aims for sustainability and reuse of products and materials, you must document all materials and processes involved in the production of both new and existing products – including those of your suppliers.
Our experience shows that this extensive investigation and documentation work is best handled as a standalone project, separate from day-to-day design and production processes. Collecting and structuring all material for a C2C certification is a project in its own right, typically carried out together with an accredited certification partner who ensures that documentation meets the required level of detail.
C2C certification is highly valued in the market. In the United States, for example, new buildings must be “environmentally certified” before approval, and C2C-certified products – such as heating units, air conditioning systems, pumps and fire safety equipment – can contribute positively to the scoring.
Information about the various components in a final product can be stored in different digital systems – and sometimes analogue ones. This might include details on metal alloys, electronic components, chemical substances in coatings, gaskets and more. In short: it is a vast puzzle where pieces must be collected from across the organisation and from many different suppliers.
In some cases, required information may simply be unavailable – for example for products manufactured many years ago. This means most long-standing companies will not be able to C2C-certify all products in their portfolio. It may therefore be beneficial to make a strategic assessment. Consider questions such as:
- How many components does the product consist of? Complexity increases with more subcomponents.
- How many suppliers are involved? Even if the product has many parts, fewer suppliers can make the process easier.
- Does the product attract significant market attention? High-impact products may create meaningful societal value if made more sustainable – and offer strong branding potential.
- Is the product central to profitability or brand positioning? Sustainability goals must be balanced with commercial realities.
- Is the product part of a series? If multiple products share components, you may benefit from economies of scale when gathering documentation.
How to get started
In manufacturing companies, the Bill of Materials (BOM) is the ideal place to begin. Every component must be assessed in terms of material selection:
- Is the material recyclable or biodegradable?
- Can the component be disassembled so individual parts can be reused?
- Are chemicals used in the product or its production process?
- How is the component produced?
- And if it contains subcomponents: who produces them and how?
When subcomponents come from suppliers, the mapping widens: suppliers must also be scrutinised and meet the required standards for the final product to achieve C2C certification.
As mentioned, many contributors are involved in the documentation process, which creates a need for transparency and consistent, up-to-date data. If your company has a central IT system such as SharePoint, placing data there ensures access across the organisation. This allows everyone involved to track progress.
Structure, precision and persistence are essential to achieving a successful certification. Sustainability is here to stay, and we all share responsibility. For companies, this means management must allocate time and resources to ensure product sustainability – not only through specific projects such as C2C certification, but by embedding sustainability in the organisation’s values, culture, strategy and market position.
Want to know more?
Ready to take the next step?
It can be highly valuable to obtain official confirmation that your products meet international standards for sustainability and resource reuse.
Contact us and let’s explore how to get you started on C2C certification.
