Week 4 SI Flashcards
What is the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) concept?
Cradle to Cradle is a sustainable design philosophy where products are created with the intention that all materials can be reused or safely returned to the environment, forming a continuous cycle.
Who developed the Cradle to Cradle concept, and when?
C2C was developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart in the early 2000s.
What are the two main material cycles in Cradle to Cradle?
1) Biological Cycle: Products return to the earth as nutrients.
2) Technical Cycle: Products are continually reused in industrial processes.
Describe the biological cycle in Cradle to Cradle.
In the biological cycle, materials are designed to be biodegradable or compostable, safely decomposing and providing nutrients back to the environment.
What is the technical cycle in Cradle to Cradle?
The technical cycle focuses on materials that are continuously reused in industrial processes, maintaining their value without degrading in quality.
Explain the “waste equals food” principle in C2C.
This principle means that all products and materials should either decompose into nutrients or be reused, so waste becomes a valuable resource rather than a disposal problem.
How does Cradle to Cradle differ from traditional recycling?
Unlike traditional recycling, which often downgrades material quality, C2C aims for upcycling, where materials retain or improve in quality through multiple life cycles.
What is Circular Economy, and how does it differ from a linear economy?
A Circular Economy is an economic model focused on minimizing waste and keeping resources in use, contrasting with the linear “take-make-dispose” economy.
Describe the role of design in a Circular Economy.
Design in a Circular Economy focuses on product longevity, reparability, reuse, and recyclability, ensuring materials stay within the cycle as long as possible.
What is a closed-loop system in Circular Economy?
A closed-loop system is where materials are continuously recycled or repurposed, reducing the need for virgin resources and minimizing waste.
Explain the concept of upcycling in Circular Economy.
Upcycling transforms waste materials into new products of higher quality or value, preserving material integrity throughout the process.
How do product-service systems (PSS) support Circular Economy principles?
PSS involves selling services rather than products, allowing for better control of product lifespan, maintenance, and recycling, supporting closed-loop cycles.
What is the Circular Economy “butterfly” diagram?
Created by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the butterfly diagram illustrates material flows within biological and technical cycles in a circular system.
List the three core principles of Circular Economy.
1) Design out waste and pollution, 2) Keep products and materials in use, 3) Regenerate natural systems.
What is “remanufacturing,” and how does it fit into Circular Economy?
Remanufacturing restores used products to like-new condition, extending product life and reducing resource consumption.
Describe the concept of “design for disassembly” in Circular Economy.
Design for disassembly involves creating products that can be easily taken apart, facilitating recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing.
How does Cradle to Cradle certification support sustainable design?
The certification assesses products based on material health, material reuse, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness, encouraging sustainable practices.
What is meant by “biodegradability” in the context of C2C?
Biodegradability refers to the ability of a material to naturally decompose into non-toxic components that can return to the environment without harm.
What is the role of “extended producer responsibility” in Circular Economy?
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) holds manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of their products, incentivizing sustainable design and recycling.
How does Circular Economy address the issue of planned obsolescence?
Circular Economy encourages designing products to last, with options for repair and upgrade, countering planned obsolescence and reducing waste.
Explain the concept of “downcycling” and why it’s less favorable in Circular Economy.
Downcycling is the process of recycling materials into lower-quality products, which eventually leads to disposal, whereas Circular Economy favors upcycling to retain value.
Describe how C2C promotes material diversity reduction.
C2C encourages using fewer material types in products to simplify recycling and increase compatibility with technical or biological cycles.
How do modular designs benefit the Circular Economy?
Modular designs enable easy repair, replacement, and upgrading of product parts, extending product life and reducing waste.
What is the role of renewable energy in Cradle to Cradle?
Renewable energy supports C2C by powering production with sustainable sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprints.
