MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) was founded in 1995 by internationally recognized architect/designer William McDonough together with Prof. Michael Braungart, as a strategic environmental consulting and design firm, dedicated to revolutionizing the design of products and services worldwide using Cradle to Cradle^SM design. MBDC developed and offers the Cradle to Cradle Product Certification System that verifies manufacturers achievements using a series of environmental and social criteria. These criteria are based on the principles of Cradle to Cradle design, developed by McDonough and Braungart.

“The overall manufacturing process of our yarns is an environmentally friendly process, requiring much less heat, water and disposal resources in comparison to other yarns, but we chose to undergo an assessment so that we have independent, validated information on our products,” said Jim Morelli, AF&Y executive vice president of sales and marketing. “This allows our customers, without compromise, to create fabrics that use safe materials. It also provides a way for consumers to understand what a true environmental benefit really is.”

While most of the raw materials achieved a green or yellow assessment rating, meaning there is little to no, or low to moderate risk to human and environmental health, there are some pigments in the AF&Y color library that did not meet the protocol for such a rating. These materials include pigments such as yellows and oranges that contain heavy metals, primarily intended for high UV applications.

AF&Y is collaborating with its suppliers to create new formulations so that any ingredients that do not currently qualify for Cradle to Cradle certification can be phased out as new technologies are available. In the meantime, AF&Y will actively promote the wide variety of compliant color pallets so that customers can knowingly create and submit fabrics for MBDC Cradle to Cradle certification.

“Cradle to Cradle certification raises the bar and holds companies accountable for creating products that are based on a sound environmental and sustainable platform,” said Jay Bolus, MBDC vice president, technical operations. “AF&Y recognized the importance and value of substantiating what they already believed to be an environmentally safe product, and this has given them a competitive advantage within the industry. Now they can ensure their customers are creating fabrics that epitomize true Cradle to Cradle Design.”

To further it’s commitment to positive environmental practices, AF&Y announced a recycling program last May, whereby it will take back all AF&Y yarns and fabrics made exclusively of AF&Y yarns to be recycled and regenerated to produce a variety of durable goods.