ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GENERAL
“Aligned for Sustainable Design: An A-B-C-D Approach to Making Better Products” by Chad
White with Emma Stewart of BSR's Environmental R&D team and Ted Howes with Bob Adams of
IDEO (Business for Social Responsibility, May 2008). Outlines how companies can assess, bridge,
create, and diffuse sustainable-design capabilities into a more integrative design process within
their organizations. Includes in-depth case studies. www.bsr.org/reports
“Green Product Development” (Small Business Administration). Outlines options and resources
for businesses to use environmental problems as catalysts for innovative new products and
services. www.business.gov
“Remaking the Way We Make Things: Creating a New Definition of Quality with Cradle to
Cradle Design” by William McDonough & Michael Braungart (2005). Short article synthesizing
key insights from authors’ classic work, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.
www.mcdonough.com
“Growing Green: Three Smart Paths to Developing Sustainable Products” by Gregory Unruh
and Richard Ettenson (Harvard Business Review, June 2010). Describes the strategies that
companies use in order to align their capabilities with their green goals. Broadly grouped as
accentuate, acquire, and architect these strategies are central to executive MBA course offerings
in sustainable business strategy. http://hbr.org
“Better By Design—An Innovation Guide: Using Natural Design Solutions” by Fran Kurk and
Curt McNamara (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2006). Outlines simple recommendations
for weaving environmental considerations into product design and building the business case for
change. www.pca.state.mn.us
“CPG Innovation & Growth: Developing the Right Innovation & Product Lifecycle
Management Strategies for Today and Tomorrow” (Grocery Manufacturers Assoc., Accenture,
and Information Resources, 2009). How consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies can
improve Product Lifecycle Management. www.gmaonline.org
GreenBlue. Nonprofit focused solely on guiding business and industry toward sustainable design
and production. www.greenblue.org
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Nonprofit organization that administers a
Cradle to Cradle certification standard and provides training and resources. www.c2ccertified.org
CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS SELECTION
Cleangredients. An easily searchable and constantly updated list of approved DfE chemicals.
www.cleangredients.org
Chemicals and Materials Selection (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency). Two-page article
listing materials cited by eco-label programs as chemicals to avoid and possible alternatives.
www.pca.state.mn.us
Green Chemical Alternatives Purchasing Wizard. Web-based tool that allows the user to search
from a select list of solvents commonly used in the laboratory and associated processes.
http://ehs.mit.edu
NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN
The Biomimicry Institute/ “Ask Nature” Database. Promotes sustainable designs and
technology innovation modeled after biological systems. Sponsors an extensive database
(www.asknature.org) on possible design applications from examples in nature.
www.biomimicryinstitute.org
GREEN PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS
Design for the Environment (DfE) (EPA). A certification program that recognizes safer
consumer, industrial and institutional products. Defines best practices in areas ranging from auto
refinishing to nail salon safety. www.epa.gov/dfe/index.htm
Cradle to Cradle® Certification. A multi-attribute eco-label offered by McDonough Braungart
Design Chemistry (MBDC) that assesses a product's safety to humans and the environment and
design for future life cycles. www.mbdc.com
Ecolabel Index and “Global Ecolabel Monitor.” Definitive, searchable online guide to ecolabels
across all industry sectors. www.ecolabelindex.com
“Global Ecolabel Monitor” (Ecolabel Index and World Resources Institute, 2010). A report on the
performance and organizational structure of ecolabels around the world. www.wri.org
GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES FOR GREEN PRODUCT INNOVATION
Environmental Grants, Loans, and Incentives (Business.gov). List of financial and technical
assistance for developers of greener technologies. www.business.gov