First signs of ‘Cradle to Cradle’ connections in real tech Eco-systems
At a certain density of ‘C2C’ certified raw material suppliers cross linking of C2C initiatives should be possible. The printing sector could be a logical first step as printing, paper and paper recycling are technologies with a rich heritage in processes around use and re-use.
van Gansewinkel Group in the Netherlands, traditionally a waste service provider has started the sale of ‘C2C’ certified office paper. A clever move. As waste service provider they now supply new office paper as well as the reverse logistics for waste paper disposal.
Recycled materials often come from many sources. Sources which are often ‘non-descript’. That is a real problem regarding C2C certification. How do you guarantee that a product is ‘C2C’ when it is made (partly) from a source which isn’t characterized and comes is of non traceable origin. That is problematic. By supplying the office paper and taking back used office paper van Gansewinkel positions itself at the center of the Cradle to Cradle cycle. Because van Gansewinkel supplies the paper it, by definition, has influence on the paper waste stream they collect. If used in an office setting and if 100% of the Gansewinkel supplied paper would come back as ‘food’ for paper production than the waste stream becomes ‘defined’. A ‘defined’ waste stream to build upon by van Gansewinkel. A move towards a closing the C2C loop.
If additionally the paper would also be printed by Knoops eco-printing in a ‘C2C’ optimized printing loop an even more defined ‘paper food’ stream would be reached.
This leaves only the future office copiers and printers to become ‘C2C’ optimized. Paper by van Gansewinkel, (for supply and disposal), Eco-printing by Knoops combined with future C2C optimized printers and copiers would be the beginnings of an almost perfect ‘C2C’ path. As Océ is working on improving their printers, maybe a vision which
Joost Backus
