The most notable feature of Cradle to Cradle is the book itself. It is not paper, cardboard or newsprint, but rather made entirely of plastic. This provides the reader with a completely waterproof and very durable book which is then fully recyclable when finished. The physical book is an example of what the book teaches: we need to reevaluate and revolutionize current products. Throughout the book, the authors want products that do not just wind up in a landfill after being used, rotting away (a “Cradle to Grave” scenario). The natural resources are used for one product, and then are wasted when thrown away. Instead, the authors envision a system where a product is used by a consumer, then taken back by the manufacturer to be completely reworked as another product. This is called “upcycling” or a “Cradle to Cradle” scenario. Using examples from nature, the authors encourage manufacturers to not simply use organic or “less bad” products and call it “eco-friendly.” Rather, they want the entire manufacturing process (starting with the warehouse/building itself) to be rethought and completely redesigned, in order to make it “eco-efficient.”

Unfortunately, the book focuses too much on the evils of Cradle to Grave products instead of encouraging the reader with ideas for renewable and reusable products. The authors use some examples of “eco-efficient” design, but they are in the minority and scattered throughout the book. Instead of learning all the benefits of new systems, the book takes too much time preaching against the Industrial Revolution and its byproducts. A good book, but comes across as somewhat condemning.