What is the concept of 'cradle-to-grave'?

The concept of 'cradle-to-grave' refers to assessing the environmental impact of a product from its creation to its eventual disposal. This approach considers every stage of a product's life cycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, usage, and disposal. By evaluating each of these phases, 'cradle-to-grave' analysis helps organizations identify environmental impacts, resource usage, and potential areas for improvement throughout the entire life cycle.

This comprehensive perspective is critical for promoting sustainability, as it encourages the development of practices that minimize negative environmental effects and optimize resource efficiency from the very beginning of a product's life to its end. The concept contrasts sharply with more narrow assessments that might focus only on specific phases of a product's life cycle, making it a vital element in sustainability practices.