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The idea of being able to recycle products endlessly with absolutely no loss in quality is as inconceivable to some people today as megacities were just a few decades ago. What many may believe is just wishful thinking has already been turned into a scientifically robust concept by the chemist and visionary, Professor Michael Braungart: the Cradle to Cradle® design concept (C2C). Looking at the limited supplies of natural reserves our planet has to offer, we will have no choice but to adopt this idea and ensure that absolutely all materials are recycled and reused.
According to Professor Braungart, all goods should circulate in one of two possible cycles in the future – either in a biological or a technical cycle. The result would be a society that produces absolutely no waste and that can live off the nutrients and materials available to them on a permanent basis. For this to be possible, however, each and every product must be designed so that it is fully recyclable.
The Cradle to Cradle® concept is being implemented by the EPEA, a research institute that has also been advising REMONDIS for many years now. Whilst, at first glance, the overall objective of C2C – i.e. to create a world without waste – may appear to be at odds with REMONDIS’ business model, it does in fact support the efforts being made by the recycling industry to encourage firms to manufacture products that are fully recyclable. The collaboration work between the EPEA and REMONDIS aims to improve processes, technologies and services so that they reflect a holistic approach to recycling.
This year, for example, the EPEA examined the way REMONDIS recycles commercial food waste to make new products and generate energy to see whether the systems being used meet its strict criteria and reflect the C2C quality standards. All of the organic waste collected by REMONDIS has been separated from other types of waste so that it can be sent for recycling. The valuable nutrients, therefore, can be recovered and reused – which is precisely what C2C is all about. By being used to produce biogas, fertiliser and biodiesel, they are returned to the biological cycle in line with the C2C principle. Over 98% of the organic material processed by REMONDIS is transformed into new top quality products. In its certificate, the EPEA underlines the fact that “this recycling system is making a valuable contribution towards achieving an integral C2C resource economy”. REMONDIS’ food waste recycling system was the first of its business areas to be checked by the EPEA.This year, for example, the EPEA examined the way REMONDIS recycles commercial food waste to make new products and generate energy to see whether the systems being used meet its strict criteria and reflect the C2C quality standards. All of the organic waste collected by REMONDIS has been separated from other types of waste so that it can be sent for recycling. The valuable nutrients, therefore, can be recovered and reused – which is precisely what C2C is all about. By being used to produce biogas, fertiliser and biodiesel, they are returned to the biological cycle in line with the C2C principle. Over 98% of the organic material processed by REMONDIS is transformed into new top quality products. In its certificate, the EPEA underlines the fact that “this recycling system is making a valuable contribution towards achieving an integral C2C resource economy”. REMONDIS’ food waste recycling system was the first of its business areas to be checked by the EPEA.
C2C has reached the NRW Ministry for Economic Affairs: read the study looking at how C2C can be adopted into NRW’s economy (on which REMONDIS was also consulted) (German only) here