I think all the frameworks have their merit, but opposite to my expectations choosing my favorite wasn’t that difficult.
First off, I really liked the way Shedroff examined all the frameworks. The strengths vs weaknesses portion really laid bare all of the strategies in succinct way and in that section is where I found my favorite framework.
Easily combined with other frameworks.
Adaptability and the option to combine is one that I think is crucial when thinking of strategies. Especially in this day and age, the multi-disciplinary aspect of things is the way we will reach better solutions and products. The Cradle to Cradle framework (C2C or eco-effectiveness) is one that can be used in conjecture with other frameworks – Biomimicry seems to be the best suited- but also holds merit on its own.
When trying to decide what made one framework ‘better’ than others I realized I valued how:
a) adaptable it was
b) did it have a sufficient impact; results
c) the mindset it produced
As I already stated, I do think C2C is an adaptable framework that can work in combination with other strategies to produce a fruitful outcome. What I saw in C2C was a promise of tangible results. Natural Capitalism seemed too vague, Biomimicry gave me a way to think but no real idea of the outcome, and Social Return Investment seemed too case specific, etc. C2C addresses the lifestyle of production, something that from personal knowledge and from the choice in companies from class presentations, is an important aspect of business we need to improve and make sustainable. The idea that nature has no waste and so our goal, as producers and inhabitants of the same Earth, should be the same is a mindset I support. The earth is not an ‘unlimited trash dump’ for us to keep piling up with waste.
C2C has a tangible goal with objective of a closed loop cycle. Yes, it doesn’t automatically change the way consumption works in all cultures, but it attacks one of main effects it has on our environment. It’s a great strategy to combat toxic materials in nature, enable better recycling and upcycling practices, and hopefully encourage the mindset of waste in one is input for another process.