The latest news from MBDC:

 

The recently enacted U.S. farm bill requires federal agencies to "give preference to such items composed of the highest percentage of bio-based products practicable...." The use of "renewable" bio-based materials is an environmental claim that resonates in the marketplace. But if bio-based products are to produce real environmental benefits, they must be designed specifically so their bio-based materials can be recovered safely and returned to the soil. In the July feature story on MBDC.com, James Ewell, MBDC Manager of Client Development, explains some of the opportunities bio-based materials use presents, as well as some of the pitfalls in their unintelligent use.

http://www.mbdc.com

A June 26th article in the Los Angeles Times ("Paying to Junk TVs, Monitors," by Miguel Bustillo) describes efforts in the California legislature to deal with the growing problem of computer and electronic waste. The proposed legislation, which has passed the California senate, would impose a fee (as much as $30) at the time of sale of computers and TVs, to help pay for their collection and recycling after use. Many other states are also struggling with post-use product responsibility for 'consumer' products made of hazardous materials. (The website for the National Coalition of Environmental Legislators gives some sense of this trend. http://www.ncel.net/ewastelist.html)

The difficulties associated with this issue represent clear opportunities for the application of Cradle to Cradle Design principles not only in the electronics industry, but many others as well. The environment, societies, and individual product users will all be better off when this new definition of quality is embraced by industry.

Due to the great success of Cradle to Cradle, North Point Press ordered a second printing of the book last month. Books from the second printing will be available in by the last week in August.

Get Cradle to Cradle from your local bookstore, order locally through Booksense, or order from Amazon.com.

"I found the classroom experience to be informative and challenging. The reward came later in the day when it seemed as though my head had grown enough to wrap itself around the 3 E's concepts, [and] cradle to cradle."
           — Tim Cunningham

MBDC's first block of open enrollment, small group workshops wrapped up last Friday with a group of participants from the fields of architecture, industrial design, and the government sector. The "Introduction to Cradle to Cradle Design" workshop engaged participants in exercises to begin to put the principles of Cradle to Cradle Design into organizational missions and processes, as well as product design

To learn more about MBDC's workshop offerings, visit our website (http://www.mbdc.com/train). Or contact MBDC's Ken Alston (434-295-0204 x203) to find out how we can customize any of our workshops for your organization.

Thanks for your ongoing interest in the activities and ideas surrounding Cradle to Cradle Design.

Tell your friends, and invite them to sign up for the newsletter, too. (http://www.mbdc.com/Opt-In-Form.htm)

Phil

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Phil Storey
Manager of Communications
MBDC

Also:

Purchase the book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, from your local bookstore, order locally through Booksense, or order from Amazon.com.

Buy the video, The Next Industrial Revolution, from Earthome Productions.