We Are Team Rubber

Cradle to Cradle, written by William McDonough (an architect) and Michael Braungart (a chemist), explores the notion that we humans aren’t doing ourselves and the planet any favours by our modern processes and consumer demands. But this book thankfully has a load of new approaches and innovative suggestions for rethinking the usual manufacturing, building construction and design of consumer goods.

Why do “we” create things that serve one purpose, and are then scrapped or destroyed when we’re done with them? I love the notion that packaging could have a secondary purpose, buildings can be design to self-regulate temperatures (rather than relying on expensive and damaging - to health and planet - ventilation “systems”), and that shoes can be easily renewed and reused when needed.

This book covers a lot of ground and challenges the way people think about eco-effectiveness, efficiency, design, diversity and waste. It’s also not made of trees and is fully recycleable, though the book will hopefully be passed around and read before being recycled anytime soon.

I am thinking of ways it can apply to my own work at Team Rubber: write general user instructions that can be copied and reused and create Selenium tests that aren’t specific to one user type unless needed. They alone won’t save the planet, however. Others might find some inspiration in Cradle to Cradle too - share them!

Personally, I will wrap presents in reusable wrapping paper (a tea towel or a t-shirt - why not?), buy those tasty desserts that come in the reusable glass containers when I can’t be bothered to cook and look for way to support companies that are serving the “cradle to cradle” movement.

After all, the environmentally-minded individual doesn’t want to be a part of the “bad” demand

P.S. It’s back in the bookcase for the next person.