Cradle to Cradle

I'm reading the book, Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. They develop this metaphor between the Titanic Ship and the Industrial Machine, "It attempts to work by its own rules, which are contrary to those of nature" and thus bring decline to almost every ecosystem on the planet. But this opposition to nature, as to work toward economic progress does not have to be so. We as humans can design products and systems that celebrate human ingenuity, culture, and productivity.

Although I'm aware of our landfill waste problems, this book has brought to my attention that our industrial system in most cases is a linear one way process where many of the materials after consumer use still has material asset value; and that stuff just sits in a waste heap un used.

At some point, we must find a way to rethink the way we produce. We need enough forethought and collaboration between designers product specialist (chemists) to design products that not only last longer and work more efficient but as they expire, their materials can become the input for the production of new products. Oh, and without making me sick or leaching toxins into my drinking water too.