“The book is still the greatest manmade machine of all – not the car, not the TV, not the smartphone.”
- Ken Burns, 2016
Welcome to our Book Report series, where we share the books that inspire our philosophy and shape how we design. First up: Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart—our go-to playbook for sustainable product design.
The Book That Started It All
This book didn’t just influence us—it set us on our path. I first read Cradle to Cradle during my first university Christmas break, and by the time classes resumed, I had declared myself a Product Design major. No other book has had such a profound impact on how I think as a designer and maker.
Today, it’s still the foundation of Polar Embassy’s sustainability policy. We even bought our copy from Curious Fox Books in Berlin, a local indie bookstore we love.
What Is Cradle to Cradle About?
Written by a chemist (Braungart) and an architect (McDonough), Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things is a manifesto for the circular economy. Its core idea is simple yet revolutionary:
“Waste equals food.”
Instead of designing products for a linear life cycle—“cradle to grave”—we should create systems where materials continuously cycle as “nutrients,” feeding the next generation of products.
Even the book itself is an example: it’s printed on plastic resin and inorganic fillers, making it infinitely recyclable as a technical nutrient.
Why This Matters for Sustainable Design
Cradle-to-cradle thinking pushes us to design beyond single lifecycles, minimizing waste and maximizing material health. At Polar Embassy, we take this principle seriously in every product we create.
How We Apply Cradle-to-Cradle Thinking at Polar Embassy
Our design ethos follows the campsite rule: leave everything better than we found it. We print all our products in Germany or Austria, and the printer of many of our products are Cradle to Cradle certified by the Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute.
Our printer meets Silver standards for:
- Material health
- Product circularity
- Clean air and climate protection
- Water and soil stewardship
- Social fairness
This means our C2C products are completely biodegradable. One day, they’ll break down naturally and make some worms very happy.
Why This Inspires Our Future
Every Polar Embassy product starts with this question:
How can we make it last, without lasting forever?
Our answer is designing for beauty, durability, and responsible endings. That’s why our decks - whether tarot, educational, or games - are made with conscious materials and transparent supply chains.
Further Reading
- Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program
- Buy the book from Curious Fox Bookstore in Berlin
- Learn About Our Supply Chain and Sustainability Principles
FAQs
1. What is Cradle to Cradle about?
It’s a design philosophy that promotes circular systems, where waste becomes a resource for future products instead of going to landfill.
2. How is the Cradle to Cradle book itself sustainable?
It’s printed on synthetic “paper” made from plastic resin and inorganic fillers, making it infinitely recyclable.
3. How does Polar Embassy use cradle-to-cradle principles?
We produce games and books with materials that are biodegradable or recyclable, and we partner with certified eco-conscious printers in Europe.
4. Are your games eco-friendly?
Yes! Many of our games, including Sinner or Saviour and Merry Families, are printed with non-toxic inks on biodegradable materials.
5. Where can I buy Cradle to Cradle in Berlin?
Check out Curious Fox Bookstore in Berlin or order from your favorite local bookstore.