Real life examples

Cradle to Cradle is a step by step process that helps to improve the quality of products and encourages smarter raw material usage. It requires endurance and co-operation. An overview of the steps that have been taken with a number of our partners can be found below:

Philips
Philips and Van Gansewinkel Groep work together on the development of Cradle to Cradle products. The knowledge of both companies are interconnected, so closed circles are created. The knowledge of Van Gansewinkel Groep in the area of materials, waste streams and recycling is essential. Last year, among others, we have looked at the intelligent design of new products and the use of recycled plastic in production. In 2010, this is being continued and recycling and production techniques are being looked at as well as the reusability of plastics.
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Van Houtum Papier
Van Gansewinkel has been working with Van Houtum Papier on Cradle to Cradle solutions for paper since 2008. Van Gansewinkel supplies the paper that is used by Van Houtum Papier in its process to make toilet rolls and tissues. Van Houtum Papier is first company in the world to produce Cradle to Cradle fully certified toilet rolls, which then go back to Van Gansewinkel customers – and so the circle is complete.
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Desso
Carpet manufacturer Desso designs carpet according to the Cradle to Cradle principle. Van Gansewinkel Groep brings expertise in the field of collection and recycling. In 2009, about 140,000 kg of old carpet was returned. The return system will be continued in 2010.
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Ahrend
Ahrend, manufacturer of office furniture, aims to have a fully enclosed supply chain in 2020 and a complete climate neutral production process. To be able to close the chain, they’re working together with Van Gansewinkel Groep. EcoSmart, a Van Gansewinkel Groep subsidiary, collects Ahrend furniture and dismantles and/or recycles it.

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Mosa
Together with tile manufacturer Royal Mosa, we investigated the possibility of closing the tile cycle. In 2009, a collection and processing pilot was rounded off successfully and a total of almost 20,000 kg of end-of-life tiles and 20,000 kg of other ceramic material was collected and tested for separation and processing. Mosa has achieved a Cradle to Cradle certification for unglazed floor tiles and for its wall tile collection. In 2010, the production of the first tiles created with recycled materials began.

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Brabantia
Together with Brabantia, we want to stimulate consumers positively to handle their waste differently. We’re researching whether we can have an influence on households’ separation behaviour. To this end, we co-operated with Brabantia and the Cranendonck council in 2009 and started a project that practices ‘waste no more’ for the populace. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that, with optimal separation in house, no waste remains or at least only a fraction. Unique to this project is that we are stimulating the production of raw materials in-house instead of waste products. 
 

Click here to read the extended interviews with our Cradle to Cradle partners.