Week 4 SI

Question 1

What is the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) concept?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Who developed the Cradle to Cradle concept, and when?

Answer 2

C2C was developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart in the early 2000s.

Question 3

What are the two main material cycles in Cradle to Cradle?

Answer 3

1) Biological Cycle: Products return to the earth as nutrients.
2) Technical Cycle: Products are continually reused in industrial processes.

Question 4

Describe the biological cycle in Cradle to Cradle.

Answer 4

In the biological cycle, materials are designed to be biodegradable or compostable, safely decomposing and providing nutrients back to the environment.

Question 5

What is the technical cycle in Cradle to Cradle?

Answer 5

The technical cycle focuses on materials that are continuously reused in industrial processes, maintaining their value without degrading in quality.

Question 6

Explain the “waste equals food” principle in C2C.

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

How does Cradle to Cradle differ from traditional recycling?

Answer 7

Unlike traditional recycling, which often downgrades material quality, C2C aims for upcycling, where materials retain or improve in quality through multiple life cycles.

Question 8

What is Circular Economy, and how does it differ from a linear economy?

Answer 8

A Circular Economy is an economic model focused on minimizing waste and keeping resources in use, contrasting with the linear “take-make-dispose” economy.

Question 9

Describe the role of design in a Circular Economy.

Answer 9

Design in a Circular Economy focuses on product longevity, reparability, reuse, and recyclability, ensuring materials stay within the cycle as long as possible.

Question 10

What is a closed-loop system in Circular Economy?

Answer 10

A closed-loop system is where materials are continuously recycled or repurposed, reducing the need for virgin resources and minimizing waste.

Question 11

Explain the concept of upcycling in Circular Economy.

Answer 11

Upcycling transforms waste materials into new products of higher quality or value, preserving material integrity throughout the process.

Question 12

How do product-service systems (PSS) support Circular Economy principles?

Answer 12

PSS involves selling services rather than products, allowing for better control of product lifespan, maintenance, and recycling, supporting closed-loop cycles.

Question 13

What is the Circular Economy “butterfly” diagram?

Answer 13

Created by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the butterfly diagram illustrates material flows within biological and technical cycles in a circular system.

Question 14

List the three core principles of Circular Economy.

Answer 14

1) Design out waste and pollution, 2) Keep products and materials in use, 3) Regenerate natural systems.

Question 15

What is “remanufacturing,” and how does it fit into Circular Economy?

Answer 15

Remanufacturing restores used products to like-new condition, extending product life and reducing resource consumption.

Question 16

Describe the concept of “design for disassembly” in Circular Economy.

Answer 16

Design for disassembly involves creating products that can be easily taken apart, facilitating recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing.

Question 17

How does Cradle to Cradle certification support sustainable design?

Answer 17

The certification assesses products based on material health, material reuse, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness, encouraging sustainable practices.

Question 18

What is meant by “biodegradability” in the context of C2C?

Answer 18

Biodegradability refers to the ability of a material to naturally decompose into non-toxic components that can return to the environment without harm.

Question 19

What is the role of “extended producer responsibility” in Circular Economy?

Answer 19

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) holds manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of their products, incentivizing sustainable design and recycling.

Question 20

How does Circular Economy address the issue of planned obsolescence?

Answer 20

Circular Economy encourages designing products to last, with options for repair and upgrade, countering planned obsolescence and reducing waste.

Question 21

Explain the concept of “downcycling” and why it’s less favorable in Circular Economy.

Answer 21

Downcycling is the process of recycling materials into lower-quality products, which eventually leads to disposal, whereas Circular Economy favors upcycling to retain value.

Question 22

Describe how C2C promotes material diversity reduction.

Answer 22

C2C encourages using fewer material types in products to simplify recycling and increase compatibility with technical or biological cycles.

Question 23

How do modular designs benefit the Circular Economy?

Answer 23

Modular designs enable easy repair, replacement, and upgrading of product parts, extending product life and reducing waste.

Question 24

What is the role of renewable energy in Cradle to Cradle?

Answer 24

Renewable energy supports C2C by powering production with sustainable sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprints.

Question 25

Describe “industrial symbiosis” and its relevance to Circular Economy.

Answer 25

Industrial symbiosis is a system where waste from one industry is used as a resource by another, creating efficient, closed-loop material flows.

Question 26

What are the five levels of Cradle to Cradle certification?

Answer 26

Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each level representing increasingly rigorous sustainability standards in material health, reuse, and more.

Question 27

How does Circular Economy benefit biodiversity?

Answer 27

By reducing waste, pollution, and resource extraction, Circular Economy practices help preserve ecosystems and protect biodiversity.

Question 28

Explain the impact of Circular Economy on resource conservation.

Answer 28

Circular Economy minimizes resource extraction by promoting reuse and recycling, conserving natural resources and reducing environmental strain.

Question 29

What is “material pooling” in the context of Circular Economy?

Answer 29

Material pooling involves sharing resources or materials among businesses to optimize use, reduce costs, and minimize waste.

Question 30

How can businesses transition from a linear to a circular model?

Answer 30

By redesigning products for longevity, establishing take-back programs, adopting service-based models, and ensuring closed-loop processes for materials.