Metabolic concept

from the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry Glossary of Key Concepts:

BIOLOGICAL METABOLISM

The natural processes of ecosystems are a biological metabolism, making safe and healthy use of materials in cycles of abundance.

TECHNICAL METABOLISM

Modeled on natural systems, the technical metabolism is MBDC's term for the processes of human industry that maintain and perpetually reuse valuable synthetic and mineral materials in closed loops.

Also by McDonough and Michael Braungart* are the concepts of WASTE = FOOD and CRADLE TO CRADLE.

Cradle to Cradle meaning that in production all material inputs and outputs are seen either as technical or biological nutrients. Technical nutrients can be recycled or reused with no loss of quality and biological nutrients composted or consumed. By contrast cradle to grave refers to a company taking responsibility for the disposal of goods it has produced, but not necessarily putting products’ constituent components back into service.[1]
from wikipedia
1.^ a b Lovins, L. Hunter (2008). Rethinking production in State of the World 2008, pp. 38-40.

Waste = Food is defined as a principle of natural systems and MBDC that eliminates the concept of waste. In this design strategy, all materials are viewed as continuously valuable, circulating in closed loops of production, use, and recycling


* William McDonough and Michael Braungart are focused on designing environmentally sustainable buildings and transforming industrial manufacturing processes. They have several companies: mbdc, mc donough + partners, epea

Certification:

The categories used to evaluate products include:

• Environmentally Safe and Healthy Materials
• Efficient Use of Water and Maximum Water Quality
• Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
• Instituting Strategies for Social Responsibilities
• Design for Material Reutilization

Book:
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

Movie:
Waste = Food