written by Paul Capel - C2CMP Co-Founder & Director
The feeling I had back then was the same as the feeling I just experienced being in a room full of Cradle to Cradle® ambassadors in the heart of Park 20/20 in Hoofddorp,in The Netherlands. A feeling of lightness and understanding, it is the one I always yearn for and it is our motivation at the Cradle to Cradle Marketplace to share this with you all, because once you fully understand what this work is all about. Once you really get it, you see the world in a whole new way; you see this Innovation and celebration of our collective genius.
The Community of Practice meeting was my opportunity to meet many friends both old and new in the Cradle to Cradle® community, it was a gathering called together by The Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute. The Non-profit auditors of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® standard.
It was my chance to meet the Institute's newly appointed president Lewis Perkins
http://www.c2ccertified.org/the-team/staff/lewis_perkins
and Stacy Glass (the institute's Vice President for Built environment)
http://www.c2ccertified.org/the-team/staff/stacy_glass
It was also my chance to be inspired by many and to inspire many with our "Walk the Talk" vision, a vision of these folks who are already fully knowledgeable in all things Cradle to Cradle® collaborating with the Cradle to Cradle Marketplace to spread more and more Cradle to Cradle® goodness in all aspects of their businesses, from their buildings and offices to the work wear and clothing for their staff, from printing to washroom solutions and all other aspects of business and home life in between.
At the Marketplace we keep our ear to the ground and eye on the growing community as more and more materials & products are certified. We then build the access points across the world. On selling these amazing Cradle to Cradle® products and services the overall mission is to enable more and more access points and connections between those already certified and those wishing to embark on their very own Cradle to Cradle® adventure.
Keep an eye on our new look website www.cradletocradlemarketplace.com for where we can help you, wherever you are - At the beginning of your journey seeking knowledge. Already engaged seeking expansion and integration or nearly at the top of your game seeking Platinum, we can help you go further, faster.
We also heard how the most valuable and costly part of the businesses that occupy the buildings is their staff and how by research and careful design the buildings and environment both inside and out is created with their needs and work behaviours as design guidance. The result is highly motivated people with a finely turned working environment.
Delta showed only 10% of the business costs were the energy needed for the buildings, 90% of the running costs are the people working in the companies there. So inspiring and healthy with Cradle to Cradle® innovation embedded throughout, what a great experience to see all of this in practise.
A great meeting with Thijs from Rheinzink secured a deal to bring their Cradle to Cradle Certified® Zinc products to the Cradle to Cradle Marketplace here. We are very pleased to announce the first three Rheinzink products are now live on the website. We will be developing and showcasing their wider range of Zinc building cladding, guttering and other amazing products very soon.
I loved sharing space with these Cradle to Cradle® ambassadors, what a joy and as the meeting was on a Friday and there was the launch of the BAMB - B (buildings) A (as) M (material) B (banks) the following Tuesday in Brussels. I managed to spend some quality time with my lovely wife & daughter who popped over to Amsterdam for the weekend. They are a big part of the reason we do what we do!
I also had a magnificent vegan meal one night in the beautiful Jordaan district of Amsterdam with Lumi, the wondrous designer who created our new logo & branding for our us.
So I waved goodbye to Emily (who had to return to London for school) and Alice and set off for Brussels for the BAMB stakeholders launch.
Again it was lovely to see friends old and new from EPEA and the C2C-Centre at Brussels Environment (the chosen venue for the event), along with several members of the C2C building group based in The Netherlands, including Deventer, Holonite and Thermaflex. We have opened up conversations to create case studies of how we can help these and other businesses really "Walk the talk" via our unique initiative and start to bring more and more built environment products to you through the Cradle to Cradle Marketplace.
Great to also meet one of the keynote speakers Katja Hansen long standing Cradle to Cradle® advocate who has worked for decades on Cradle to Cradle® and is a fountain of knowledge in this area.
A quick dash across Brussels and a Eurostar back to London completed this epic adventure. I really can't wait for the next opportunity to be in a room with so many Cradle to Cradle® 'ers.
As we expand the Marketplace, we are in daily online communications with Cradle to Cradle® innovators around the globe, and wherever possible, will create these magnificent access points for you all without the need to travel.
When these Cradle to Cradle® innovators are all gathered together in one place it really feeds my soul to share physical space and time with them…
Quite wonderful, I wish I could take you all along to experience it too.