Cradle-to-Cradle certification increasing

Products certified as Cradle-to-Cradle® by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) LLC of Charlottesville, Va., are manufactured with healthy materials, recycled components, renewable energy, water conservation and social responsibility—and it’s a credential increasingly important to global businesses. In 2009, MBDC certified more than 100 products, for a total of more than 300 certifications since the program began in late 2005. “Even in challenging economic times, sustainability is becoming more central to companies’ way of doing business,” says Jay Bolus, vice president of technical operations at MBDC. Of the 100 products certified, 14 achieved Gold-level certification, the second highest ranking; clients included Nestle Waters North America, Method Products and Aveda Corporation, among other big names.