Cradle-to-grave
Definition
"Cradle-to-grave" refers to the entire lifespan of a product or material - from its extraction or creation ("cradle") through its use and eventual disposal ("grave"). It emphasizes considering all stages of a product's life cycle when assessing environmental impacts.
Analogy
Imagine you're baking cookies from scratch. "Cradle" represents gathering ingredients like flour and sugar while "grave" symbolizes enjoying your delicious cookies after baking them. Similarly, "cradle-to-grave" thinking involves considering all aspects of a product's life cycle - from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal.
Related terms
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A systematic analysis technique used to evaluate environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life cycle.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A policy approach that holds manufacturers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products, including post-consumer disposal.
Waste Hierarchy: A ranking system that prioritizes waste management strategies based on their environmental impact, with prevention and reduction at the top and disposal at the bottom.
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