Great writeup for implementing material saving strategies for manufacturers and their CSR efforts.

Manufacturers can benefit from cradle-to-cradle design. It's all about turning "responsibility" into "opportunity." "Dematerialization" may sound pretty nerdy, but it's a powerful strategy that many manufacturers are now pursuing to improve their triple-bottom line.

 Through product and process design and innovation, manufacturers and their suppliers are figuring out how to do more with less, using strategies such as de-weighting, use of recycled material, and design for durability, re-use and recycling.

The Sustainability Consortium® (TSC®) is an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. TSC has recently completed work covering a number of manufactured good categories, or “General Merchandise” products, including bicycles, hand tools, small batteries, small appliances and items such as storage products, furniture and home, lawn and garden products made of plastics or metals.