Carbon emission goals are defined, the use of recycled materials is steadily increasing, and closed-loop approaches are emerging simultaneously. The shift towards a circular economy is proceeding rapidly, raising an essential question: what kind of materials do we want to keep in these circular systems? Since 80% of all product-related environmental impacts are determined during the design phase of a product, safe and circular design is the key to achieving a sustainable and carbon-neutral circular economy.

The Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) design concept was developed in the 1990s by EPEA founder Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart and William McDonough and describes the safe and potentially infinite circulation of materials in cycles. All constituents are chemically harmless and recyclable. It is inspired by nature: the aim is not only to minimise negative influences but also to leave a positive ecological footprint. As a result, products, processes, buildings and cities will emerge which are safe for humans, healthy for the environment and successful for businesses. The Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program, internationally recognised as a frontrunner in the circular economy, is the science-based standard for quality products that are safe and truly circular.

The cooperation between EPEA and Ethica will give businesses in Finland the opportunity to benefit from the competences of both companies: Ethica with its expertise on circular economy strategies, carbon-neutrality and sustainable business operations, and EPEA as accredited C2C Certified™ Assessment Body with its deep knowledge on safe & circular materials and digital tools for products and buildings according to C2C.

The goal of the collaboration is to enable regenerative growth and products for a better world – focusing on circular solutions for businesses and the built environment:

• Circular businesses – achieved through the analysis and implementation of circular strategies, the establishment of transparent supply chains, development of circular product innovations and certifications (e.g. Cradle to Cradle Certified™)

• Circular built environment – achieved through road mapping, material flow analysis, Building Circularity Passports® to document the material health and recyclability of buildings, and potential network partners, e.g. the Building Material Scout

“Businesses all over Europe are now on their way towards a circular economy. With Ethica we’ve found an innovative and inspiring partner to support clients from building and industry sectors in Finland in implementing the Cradle to Cradle® design concept”, says Markus Diem, Head of Office EPEA Hamburg.

“We are very proud to start a co-operation with EPEA. They have a very extensive experience and customer base in Europe for Cradle to Cradle certification projects and Circularity systems – especially in the building sector. I am convinced that we can now bring even more value to our customers and their businesses in this rapidly developing environment”, comments Vesa Helkkula, Managing Partner of Ethica Finland.

EPEA and Ethica will display best practices from the circular built environment in a joint webinar with the Green Building Council Finland on November 19th. More information regarding time and registration will follow soon.

Find out more about Ethica’s Circular Design Approach: www.ethica.fi

Find out more about the Cradle to Cradle® design concept: www.epea.com

‍

***

Ethica Finland

Ethica is an internationally-awarded expert and pioneer in the circular economy and business development. 2013 established Ethica has extensive customer experience and solid know-how on the circular economy, business development with sustainable aspect and the built environment consulting. Customer base includes numerous companies, cities and public sector organisations.

‍

***

EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer

EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer is an international innovation partner for environmentally-friendly products, processes and buildings. 50 employees are working with experts and legal entities in industry, science and the public sector to advise on solutions for the circular economy powered by Cradle to Cradle®. They apply knowledge from the fields of chemistry, biology and environmental science to develop or optimize products of all kinds with a view to material health and recyclability. They also develop concepts as to how material cycles in production processes, buildings or cities can be closed.

‍

Cradle to Cradle® is a registered trademark of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC (MBDC). Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a certification mark licensed exclusively for the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

‍