cradle-to-cradlenoun.
A product life cycle that encompasses not only the design, manufacture, and useful life of the product, but also the recycling of the product into something new. (Cf. cradle-to-grave.)
Example Citation:
"This Design for Environment Laboratory is a public-private partnership between industry and government. It focuses on the development of products, processes and systems that help close materials and energy loops in the automotive and construction industries — two of the largest sectors of the global economy. Products no longer go from 'cradle-to-grave', but are cycled back into the economy — 'cradle-to-cradle'."
—Steven W. Peck, Robert B. Gibson, "Pushing the Revolution," Alternatives Journal, January 1, 2000
