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The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability--Designing for Abundance by William McDonough, Michael Braungart
leaton01's review against another edition
5.0
McDonough and Braungart's follow up to their previous book, Cradle to Cradle, is a solid book to help think more critically and creatively about developing a more sustainable world through human efforts. They highlight a variety of work that is already being done with regards to upcycling and where more work can be done. At its core is the argument is that there isn't a "waste" problem insomuch as there is a design problem that we must think more proactively about design with the full cycle of the products resources and their long-lasting implications. From furniture to clothing to waste management (or more appropriately renamed, nutrient management), they show pathways to making human practices more sustainable.
If you enjoyed this review, feel free to check out my other reviews and writings at By Any Other Nerd/
If you enjoyed this review, feel free to check out my other reviews and writings at By Any Other Nerd/
thenaturelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
I read Cradle to Cradle (an earlier book written by the same authors) few years ago and loved it. I want to preface this review with saying that Cradle to Cradle was incredibly influential in my personal life journey in looking at the world in the ways in which it can be redesigned and reimagined. I appreciate that the authors aren't afraid to *really* reimagine the way products are created. There were a few moments in this book that I really enjoyed reading including two different sections: batteries and human waste management (wastewater could provide phosphate for farmers to create needed fertilizer for their fields).
Unfortunately, the book felt like a sales pitch for the authors' company in a way that felt misplaced. The organization felt disjointed and I couldn't really tell what they wanted to achieve with the book that wasn't already achieved in Cradle to Cradle or that could have been achieved with an updated version of Cradle to Cradle. I felt like there was a missed opportunity for a discussion for how the values and principles presented in the book were influenced by or how they overlap with Indigenous perspectives.
I would definitely recommend Cradle to Cradle over this book if you were to choose between the two!
Unfortunately, the book felt like a sales pitch for the authors' company in a way that felt misplaced. The organization felt disjointed and I couldn't really tell what they wanted to achieve with the book that wasn't already achieved in Cradle to Cradle or that could have been achieved with an updated version of Cradle to Cradle. I felt like there was a missed opportunity for a discussion for how the values and principles presented in the book were influenced by or how they overlap with Indigenous perspectives.
I would definitely recommend Cradle to Cradle over this book if you were to choose between the two!
pookerzzz's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone should read this book as it outlines how we can ALL be positive participants in the creation of an environmentally sustainable future.
It's one of the few environmental books that left me feeling an knowing that the glass is full...
Bravo!
It's one of the few environmental books that left me feeling an knowing that the glass is full...
Bravo!
heyitsgiulia's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
This book was quite boring to me, especially if I think about their previous one, Cradle to cradle. Not only there were no new information for me (maybe I know too much about this argument? I don’t think so), but the real problem was the complete lack of a narrative that makes you want to know more.
zona5's review
4.0
Although the book suffers from poor organization, it expresses insightful ideas about creating a better world.
erendira's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome book that expands on the practical ways to apply the concepts and ideas of Cradle to Cradle. Very inspiring and motivating. A bit optimistic at times but definitely has a lot of its bases covered.
litwithlo's review
5.0
I know this feels different for my feed so hear me out. I had to read this book for school and literally finished it in less than 48 hours. It was chock full of statistics and facts but elegantly dispersed in real world stories of larger corporations adopting and working actively towards change. I found it inspiring and encouraging. It was everything you look for in a nonfiction read. Also: did you know that breast milk contains bromide-based fire retardants (PDBEs)?! And that the fire retardant materials we use in babies cribs (for instance) is now in the blood of polar bears, thousands of miles away?!
Though I am in school for interior design, this doesn’t mean that if you are not you won’t benefit from the learnings and takeaways in this book. My view is that if you are a consumer at the most basic of levels, this book is beneficial. From that perspective alone I came away thinking about how I could hold companies accountable for their manufacturing processes and excited about what questions I was going to pose to them to *hopefully* inspire action. As a budding designer, I am already looking to my favorite brands and artisans and am going to leverage the resources on c2ccertified.org to start better understanding the chemicals and processes they use. I go into this process knowing it will take time and nothing will be instantaneous, but even one voice asking the right questions can make a world of difference in the long term.
This book would be killer if you work at a CPG company or are looking to start your own business that will have a physical output. Shit! You could have an Etsy shop and find this stuff fascinating—at a very basic level what can you change about the materials and packing you use to ship out product?
Prior to reading this book I approached all conversations about the environment with a glass half empty approach. Now the glass is half full of water and half full of air and I am trying to figure out how to make the glass even bigger…
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Though I am in school for interior design, this doesn’t mean that if you are not you won’t benefit from the learnings and takeaways in this book. My view is that if you are a consumer at the most basic of levels, this book is beneficial. From that perspective alone I came away thinking about how I could hold companies accountable for their manufacturing processes and excited about what questions I was going to pose to them to *hopefully* inspire action. As a budding designer, I am already looking to my favorite brands and artisans and am going to leverage the resources on c2ccertified.org to start better understanding the chemicals and processes they use. I go into this process knowing it will take time and nothing will be instantaneous, but even one voice asking the right questions can make a world of difference in the long term.
This book would be killer if you work at a CPG company or are looking to start your own business that will have a physical output. Shit! You could have an Etsy shop and find this stuff fascinating—at a very basic level what can you change about the materials and packing you use to ship out product?
Prior to reading this book I approached all conversations about the environment with a glass half empty approach. Now the glass is half full of water and half full of air and I am trying to figure out how to make the glass even bigger…
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️