From the authors "Cradle to Cradle," the next step, in how society must change the way it uses resources. Drawing on the lessons gained from 10 years of using the cradle-to-cradle concept, McDonough and Braungart envision the next step in the solution to our ecological crisis.

Upcycle this book. Rewrite it as a manifesto. Steal and take and copy and change this book. Upcycle these twenty-three texts just as I have upcycled so many other texts and responded to many sets of existing conditions. Or unlike I have. Treat these words as existing conditions. Some of them are artworks. Some of them upcycle artworks by others. Some are barely texts at all. . . . Often the words are a script to be performed. Its useful to read words out loud in public. Gavin Wade is pragmatic utopian, an artist, artist-curator, artist-writer and one of the founding directors of Eastside Projects in Birmingham, UK. He has curated numerous exhibitions as well as written and published a number of bookssuch as Has Man a Function in Universe? (Book Works, 2008). Upcycle This Book was co-published by Book Works and Stroom den Haag in an edition of 1,000.

A manifesto for a radically different philosophy and practice of manufacture and environmentalism "Reduce, reuse, recycle" urge environmentalists; in other words, do more with less in order to minimize damage. But as this provocative, visionary book argues, this approach perpetuates a one-way, "cradle to grave" manufacturing model that dates to the Industrial Revolution and casts off as much as 90 percent of the materials it uses as waste, much of it toxic. Why not challenge the notion that human industry must inevitably damage the natural world? In fact, why not take nature itself as our model? A tree produces thousands of blossoms in order to create another tree, yet we do not consider its abundance wasteful but safe, beautiful, and highly effective; hence, "waste equals food" is the first principle the book sets forth. Products might be designed so that, after their useful life, they provide nourishment for something new-either as "biological nutrients" that safely re-enter the environment or as "technical nutrients" that circulate within closed-loop industrial cycles, without being "downcycled" into low-grade uses (as most "recyclables" now are). Elaborating their principles from experience (re)designing everything from carpeting to corporate campuses, William McDonough and Michael Braungart make an exciting and viable case for change.

Renowned environmental lifestyle expert and Today Show regular Danny Seo shares 100 of his most inspiring projects for creative transformation. Have neglected items around your house? They can be the source for exciting craft possibilities! Turn your old leather belts into a cool doormat (or even a briefcase!); worn-out paperbacks into gorgeous bud vases; tennis balls into a quaint country swing; chopsticks into a handsome trivet, and many more. With full-color photos throughout to guide and inspire, Danny shows that it's easy to be crafty, and fun to be budget- and eco-conscious.

* Our summary is short, simple and pragmatic. It allows you to have the essential ideas of a big book in less than 30 minutes. By reading this summary, you will discover how to live in an ecological way without forcing yourself to be economical, but on the contrary by generating more and more well-being and resources. You will also discover that : sacrifice is not necessary for an ecological solution; current recycling generates a loss of material; waste is a precious resource, and carbon dioxide a vital element; sustainable solutions are possible if we take inspiration from nature. Following their first book entitled "Cradle to Cradle", William McDonough and Michael Braungart, respectively architect specializing in sustainable development and researcher in environmental consulting, propose in this new book a concrete application of their ecological principles previously described in detail. Both men argue for a positive and fertile ecology, producing more well-being and resources, rather than an ecology of damage limitation and simple damage reduction. Against preconceived ideas and reluctance to make major changes, they propose solutions already in place at the level of certain companies, cities or even countries, which can be easily adopted, for a long-lasting conception of the Planet. *Buy now the summary of this book for the modest price of a cup of coffee!

In this inspirational and practical book, 24 international product designers show you how to recreate their upcycled designs. Inspired by the trend for recycling and craft, readers can follow the designers' step-by-step instructions and create their very own piece of high-end upcycled design for the home. Projects include a clever waterproof mat woven from marine rope, a geometric lampshade made of strips of Tetrapak carton, a hanging rail using leftover copper plumbing pipe, decorative floral arrangements made from old plastic bottles, a cane chair upcycled as a cross-stitch canvas, and many more.

Do you need a unique gift to give someone? Do you have an old bottle or basket sitting around that you don't want to get rid of but aren't sure what to do with? Need an item of beauty that looks just right for your style? Do you want to learn one of the easiest and most affordable of crafts? Upcycle with Decoupage is for you. There's even an interactive Facebook page in case you need to ask questions, get some inspiration or just have a look around We're very user friendly over here.