Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Joins Clinton Global Initiative to Announce Human Health Commitment to Creating Safer Products
Pledges to Train 100 Assessors and Certify 1,000 Products by 2015
NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the nation's first nonprofit dedicated to using the Cradle to Cradle® approach to certify products unveiled its new name, along with a major commitment, at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting in New York. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (the Institute), formerly called the Green Products Innovation Institute, announced today at CGI that it will train at least 100 assessors and certify 1,000 products by 2015 in an effort to jumpstart a market for green chemistry that will protect the environment and human health while growing the economy.
Using the Cradle to Cradle certification protocol, the Institute is dedicated to developing comprehensive metrics and standards for every day products that are safe and healthy for our environment and our children. Products that meet the criteria will receive the Cradle to Cradle certification mark, which has been gifted to the Institute along with the protocols by co-founders William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart. The Institute's chief funder is the DOEN Foundation, which was established in 1991 by the Dutch Postcode Lottery to generate funds for charity organizations dedicated to people and the planet.
"The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is proud to make such a vital pledge to bring safe and healthy products to citizens across the globe," said Bridgett Luther, President of the Institute. "With the support of governments, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, we can turn the Cradle to Cradle certification into a worldwide standard in developing safe and sustainable consumer products."
Several of the nation's leading manufacturers joined the Institute in making pledges at the Clinton Global Initiative.
Shaw Industries, Inc., part of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and the world's largest carpet manufacturer, is also leading the way in developing sustainable carpet products. Currently, 15 percent of Shaw's products are 'wholly' Cradle to Cradle certified and 62 percent of its product line is partially certified.
Today, Shaw announced its commitment to moving toward increasing the number of 'wholly' Cradle to Cradle certified products by 2015 so more of its product line will be safer for human and environmental health.
"Over 50 percent of our commercial products are now cradle to cradle certified, but we are not stopping there," said Vance Bell, CEO of Shaw. "We plan to increase that percentage over the next several years as we work closely with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute."
Steelcase, the world's largest office furniture manufacturer, which represents nearly $3 billion in sales and over 13,000 employees, is the largest holder of Cradle to Cradle product certifications globally. They have achieved over 50 Cradle to Cradle product certifications covering 78 product lines. Today the company announced its first seating product for the education sector, "node," will also be certified under the Cradle to Cradle protocol.
"For years, the foundation of our design for the environment process has been avoiding and eliminating toxic materials in our products and contributing to clean indoor air - for workers in offices, and even healthcare environments," said Angela Nahikian, Director, Global Environment Sustainability. "So it's natural for Steelcase to stand side by side with the Clinton Global Initiative and Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute to announce this commitment today. Introducing node for the education market, and its pending Cradle to Cradle certification, is very exciting. It demonstrates our belief that advancing human and environmental health is an integral part of creating great working and learning experiences."
In addition to announcing these major social and environmental commitments at the Clinton Global Initiative, the Institute also welcomes some significant additions to its leadership team. Bridgett Luther, former director of the California Department of Conservation, has joined the Institute full time as president. John Warner, PhD, President of the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry and former Chair of the Science Advisory Panel of California's Green Chemistry Initiative, has also joined the Institute's team as a key science advisor.
"Green Chemistry is a molecular science that can create technologies to produce more Cradle to Cradle products," said Warner. "I look forward to working with the Institute to bring the certification to the world."
The Institute's creation is supported by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who just last week witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Institute and the Shanghai Yangpu District Government during his trade mission to Asia. The MOU solidified Shanghai's commitment to working with the Institute to promote an innovation-oriented model for eliminating toxic chemicals and other negative environmental impacts in hopes of fostering a model for a sustainable business and a sustainable economy.
For more information on the Institute, board of directors, and Cradle to Cradle certified products, go to: www.c2ccertified.org.
About The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (the Institute) is a non-profit organization based in California focused on transforming the making and consumption of things into a regenerative force for the planet. The Institute uses design, based on the laws of nature, to help commerce create products that are safe for people and the environment. This rethinking of how we design, manufacture, use and reuse materials will spur a new era of research and innovation, simultaneously driving economic, ecological and social prosperity.
About CGI
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 125 current and former heads of state, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,700 commitments valued at $57 billion, which have already improved the lives of 220 million people in more than 170 countries. In 2009, the Annual Meeting was named the No. 1 conference for CEOs. The 2010 CGI Annual Meeting will take place from September 20-23, 2010, in New York City.
® Cradle to Cradle is a Registered Trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
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