Cradle2Cradle status to Silver!

Two years ago, we developed a roadmap to Gold together with EPEA. At that time, Staco had the Bronze status. But now, we have successfully gained the Silver status under version 3.

In this article, we would like to briefly explain what Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is, who the EPEA are, and what the key differences are between version 3 and version 4.

What is Cradle2Cradle?

Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is a sustainability concept developed by Michael Braungart and William McDonough, aimed at creating products that, after use, serve as raw materials for new products—without generating waste.

C2C includes the following certification levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, and evaluates products based on five criteria: Material Health, Product Circularity, Renewable Energy & Climate, Water Stewardship, and Social Fairness.

The goal of C2C is a circular economy where products and materials are continuously reused.

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Who is EPEA?

EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency) is an organization founded by Braungart that supports companies in obtaining C2C certifications. EPEA helps companies like Staco design their products and processes in line with C2C principles and assists in creating roadmaps to reach higher certification levels.

The Difference Between Version 3 and Version 4

Version 3 of C2C offered five certification levels, including a “Basic” level, which has been removed in version 4. Version 4 also introduces stricter requirements for material use, energy sources, and social responsibility. There is a stronger emphasis on the use of recycled and renewable materials, and it demands improved water and soil management practices. Additionally, the list of banned chemicals has been expanded to better exclude harmful substances.

The difference between the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels mainly lies in the degree of sustainable effort. Bronze requires products to meet basic criteria, such as identifying harmful substances and measuring energy use. Silver demands additional steps, such as plans to replace hazardous substances, recyclable product design, and initiatives for renewable energy use. Gold means the product meets even higher standards, such as using nearly 100% sustainable energy and eliminating problematic substances.

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Staco has gained Silver!

We have now gained the Silver status and have taken several measures, such as using bismuth in our zinc bath to make the production process safer, and investing significantly in renewable energy sources.

Our goal is to reach Gold certification by 2030, as outlined in our roadmap!