Cradle to cradle refers to a way of reusing that actually doesn't involve recycling at all. Materials are used in their natural state and can be used again in a new way without having to go into a heavy manufacturing process again. Take a look at this unique item that incorporates the concept - CLICK TO ZOOM
1 - Workstation Power: Power solution is PVC-free, RoHS-compliant*, and WEEE-compliant**.
2 - Panel: Answer. 100% reusable, easy to disassemble, reconfigure and reinstall. Modular components can be replaced. Reuse saves materials, energy, time and cost.
3 - Panel Fabric: Designtex® Rivergrass 2690-101 Parchment, 100% recycled polyester (yarn is made from soda bottle PET and x-ray film); 14% post consumer/86% pre-consumer. As a 100% recycled polyester, it qualifies as a built-for-disassembly material, allowing for future recyclability.
4 - Panel trim: Sand. All metal finishing is 100% solvent free powder technology; plastic is PVC-free.
5 - Storage: Universal storage in 4799 Platinum paint with silver Jazz pulls. All metal finishing is 100% solvent free powder technology.
6 - Worksurfaces: Universal wood worksurfaces in 3402 Clear Cherry. Wood components are made from 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber. FSC and SFI certified woods are available. All our glues, stains, topcoats and UV finishes are water-based.
7 - Seating: Think® task seating (also Cradle to Cradle certified) in Designtex Skylark 2732-102 Feather. Move™ side seating (also Cradle to Cradle certified) in Rivergrass 2690-403 BlueJay. Think is up to 98% recyclable and Move is 99% recyclable. Both can be easily disassembled in 5 minutes with common hand tools.
* RoHS - Reduction of Hazardous Substances
** WEEE - Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment
The Answer® system solution, by Steelcase, has been awarded the first Cradle to Cradle Certification for a workstation.
And we’re not just talking about a couple of panels and a worksurface. We’re talking about a fully-powered workstation with wood worksurfaces, glass windows and storage… in other words, a “real-life” workstation that someone could actually work in. That means that one of the best-selling systems solutions in the world, Answer, is also one of the most environmentally “huggable”.
MBDC Cradle to Cradle Certification for a fully-powered workstation -
Silver Certification Criteria.
This 8' x 8' powered Answer workstation satisfies all criteria from MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle design protocol regarding designing for the environment. This Cradle to Cradle designation looks at a variety of factors including materials, energy, disassembly and recycling.
Every material used in this workstation has been analyzed against a set of 19 human and environmental health criteria, down to a scale of 100 parts per million. All materials can be easily disassembled, contain recycled content and have exceptional recyclability quotients.