Scientific experience

Our work with the Cradle to Cradle design concept is leading the way:

As a scientific research and consultancy institute, EPEA has more than 30 years of experience working at the forefront of and driving industrial innovation and circular economy beyond sustainability.

The foundation of our scientific work is the Cradle to Cradle design concept: we consult, support, and train companies and professionals to implement the Cradle to Cradle framework and to optimize their products and processes.

EPEA already started between 1987 and 1992 to develop a concept called: “Intelligent Product System” for transforming the linear economy into an economically and environmentally sustainable system of intelligent products.

In 1992, “The Hannover Principles, Design for Sustainability” settled a new set of statements about designing buildings and products with forethought about their environmental impact, their effect on sustainability aspects and their overall impact on society.

In 2001 the first book was published: “Cradle to Cradle® Remaking the way we make things” described the paradigm shift needed on the path to a positive footprint. Since then we optimize products ans procresses for the bio- and technosphere.

EPEA – The Cradle of Cradle to Cradle

Awarded for innovation and quality

For our work with the Cradle to Cradle design concept, the EPEA Team and its CEO Michael Braungart have been awarded several times by various institutions. A selection of these awards is displayed below:

WorldGBC David Gottfried Global Green Building Entrepreneurship Award (2017)

Michael Braungart and William McDonough have been awarded the prestigious WorldGBC Award for their unique, innovative and entrepreneurial contribution to the global green building movement.

Gala Spa Award (2016)

EPEA CEO Michael Braungart has been honoured with the “Special Prize” of the Gala Spa Awards 2016 for his dedication to promote eco-effectiveness and developing the Cradle to Cradle design concept.

Urban Mining Award (2015)

EPEA CEO Michael Braungart received the Urban Mining Award 2015, which recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements towards the promotion and implementation of a circular economy, for developing the Cradle to Cradle design concept.

ImPose Award (2015)

The Cradle to Cradle design concept was awarded with the ImPose Award 2015. EPEA CEO Michael Braungart received the award in the category “environment”, which honors environmental commitment, at the ceremony in Hamburg.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship Award – SEA of Excellence (2013)

The Sustainable Entrepreneurship Award honors EPEA CEO Michael Braungart with the SEA of Excellence 2013 as one remarkable individual who has distinguished himself with outstanding achievements in the area of sustainability.

„Germany – Land of Ideas“ Award as selected location (2009)

EPEA was awarded the innovation price “Germany – Land of Ideas” as one of 365 selected locations. At the award ceremony in Hamburg a variety of Cradle to Cradle®-products were exhibited, “which relieve the environment with their unique concept”.

TIME Magazine – Hero of the Environment Award (2007)

In October 2007 the TIME Magazine honoured EPEA CEO Michael Braungart with the Hero of the Environment Award for his innovative and influential merit to protect the planet.

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award (2003)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Dr. Michael Braungart in the category “Designing greener Chemicals” for a “Eco-WorxTM” carpet, that has been designed based on the Cradle to Cradle® design concept.

B.A.U.M. Environmental Prize (1999)

For his outstanding scientific achievements, especially for the development of the Cradle to Cradle design concept, EPEA CEO Michael Braungart has been awarded the Environmental Price from the German Association for Environmental Management (B.A.U.M.).

Utne Visionary Award (1995)

EPEA CEO Michael Braungart received the Utne Visionary Award in 1995 for being a visionary and innovative environmentalist. The award honours extraordinary people who don’t just develop great ideas but also act on them and try to change the world.

30 Years EPEA: Our Milestones

1992

The Hannover Principles is a set of statements about designing buildings and objects with forethought about their environmental impact, their effect on the sustainability of growth, and their overall impact on society. They were first created by William McDonough and Michael Braungart for the Expo 2000 in Hannover.

1995

The collaboration between the architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart in New York, resulted in 1995 in the founding of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

1987

Foundation of EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency) in Hamburg by Dr. Michael Braungart. The word “Encouragement” is intended to contrast with the term “protection”, which is described in “U.S. Environmental Protection Act.”. A cornerstone of EPEA’s corporate philosophy is to advocate cooperation between relevant organizations, industry and the state.

1987 – 1992

Development of the methodology Intelligent Product System (IPS): In articles and conferences EPEA communicated their thesis that environmental sustainability can be achieved when consumer products are made for a closed loop cycle.

1994

EPEA in Hamburg, London, New York, Moscow and Sao Paulo are working on building a global EPEA network. In 1994, the existing corporate structure was replaced through the “EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH”

2001

The first book is published: Cradle to Cradle® Remaking the way we make things.

2006

The film “Waste = Food” by Rob Van Hattum was launched, which won several awards. Watch it!

2008 – 2009

Foundation of EPEA Netherland, EPEA Switzerland, EPEA Eindhoven, EPEA Taiwan und EPEA Copenhagen.

2010

The Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute opened in 2010 in California. The Institute’s goal is to support and accelerate the transformation of the products and the industry along the way. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is accredited by the State of California “non-profit U.S. organization” for the global certification of all Cradle to Cradle ® products.