Many of the ways we impact the environment are more apparent, and attempts to alleviate them have gained in acceptance, but Cradle to Cradle argues that many of our “solutions” are simply patches for poorly-designed systems. They argue that recycling is actually “downcycling” - a process that results in a lower quality product with each cycle, that sometimes requires just as many resources as manufacturing a new product. The fact that soda cans are made with two different grades of aluminum, and are coated with paint, are a good example of unconsidered life-cycle.

William McDonough and Michael Braungart uncover many frightening side-effects of the way we live our lives and design our products. Most of the solutions they present for these problems are not currently feasible, but they present steps to take to work towards environmental utopia. The book itself is an example ’Äì its not quite the dream book they describe, with inks that wash off in a hot water bath and glues made of materials that can be recycled with the pages of the book, but “Cradle to Cradle” is printed on a very durable, heavy, and waterproof polymer-based paper that can be “upcycled.”

There do appear to be some conflicts of interest in this book, however. McDonough and Braungart speak of clients of theirs ’Äì companies such as Monsanto, Dow, and Ford ’Äì as if they were environmental saints even though these companies have committed atrocious harm to the environment. But, where else do we expect them to provide anecdotes from? Also, it is true that the very power that enables those companies to do harm can enable them to do good.

“Cradle to Cradle” is a thorough survey of the environmental dynamics of the things and practices that make up our everyday lives. It is wrapped around the framework of a fresh pattern of thinking that will hopefully bring us closer to living in harmony with our environment without abandoning our lives as we know them.