C2CPII sets the world’s leading science-based standard for safe, circular and responsible materials and products.
Consumers and corporations alike recognise Cradle to Cradle certifications as leading evidence of a product’s sustainability.
Unlike most product certifications, which focus on a single measure of sustainability, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a comprehensive solution.
A product is assessed across five comprehensive categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness.
The achievement levels rank from bronze, silver, gold and to platinum as the highest.
The lowest achievement level received determines the overall level – for example, if a product receives silver in four categories and bronze in the fifth category, the product receives a Cradle to Cradle certification at Bronze level.
Worthington achieved Cradle to Cradle Certified for two products: its ultralight high-pressure steel acetylene cylinder with superior finish and its ultralight high-pressure steel cylinder with standard finish.
Source: Worthington Industries
The steel cylinder for a full range of industrial gases received a silver level certification and the acetylene cylinder received an overall bronze level certification.
Earning higher marks, the steel cylinder for industrial gases achieved silver for material health; gold for material reutilisation; silver for renewable energy & carbon management; silver for water stewardship; and silver for social fairness.
In the individual categories, the acetylene cylinder obtained the following achievement ratings: bronze for material health; bronze for material reutilisation; bronze for renewable energy & carbon management; silver for water stewardship; and bronze for social fairness.
The bronze achievement level under Cradle to Cradle Certified is designed to recognise a company’s intent to improve the way their product is made, establishing a commitment to ongoing improvement and optimisation.
“Product development people who seek out challenges will love working with the Cradle to Cradle Certified framework,” said Mark Jackson, Worthington’s Director of Innovation for Europe.
“It’s not like you get the certificate and it’s done and dusted. Rather the expectation is that production and the product will become more sustainable and more circular over time.”
Worthington’s directors and managers are committed to attaining the next level for the certified products as well as entering more products from the company’s portfolio into the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program.
“We are confident that Worthington will quickly evolve in the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program,” said Holger Hengst, Project Manager at EPEA GmbH, the organisation that supports the C2CPII in conducting product assessments.
“The company has been following a set of circular principles for quite some time. We’re here to help Worthington and companies from many different industries align their corporate behaviour with performance criteria that are central to environmental governance programs.”