GROHE takes the next step for a better world

We are becoming more environmentally conscious and the world is recycling nicely along with us. GROHE is no stranger to this phenomenon and has been recycling for a circular economy for years, with rates of 99% on recycling waste and up to 80% on recycling copper. But GROHE is taking it a step further. The plumbing specialist is now launching its first "Cradle to Cradle" certified products, taking the production process a step beyond "ordinary" recycling.Text: Patrick Stoffer
Image: GROHECradle-to-cradle (C2C) is a relatively new way of producing products, where waste from products is used to make new products. If you're thinking, "this is just called recycling, right? No! In recycling, different materials are reused, yet residual waste is still created during this process. Also, you can only recycle a material a limited number of times before the quality is lost. So new raw materials must eventually be used, because products are lost forever. With Cradle to Cradle, products are 100% reused because products are designed and produced in a way that they can be used indefinitely.

By launching the four best-selling products as Cradle to Cradle Certified ®, GROHE as a company is contributing to a circular economy. All four products achieved certification without a hitch and were even awarded "Gold status" immediately. After switching to carbon-neutral production in April 2020 and replacing all plastic parts in product packaging with eco-friendly alternatives in 2021, GROHE is once again strengthening its commitment to sustainable development.

New standard within plumbing sector

"The Gold certification is an important affirmation of GROHE's commitment to transform its products and business model from linear to circular. By using the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard to optimize the sustainability of the faucets and shower set, GROHE is setting a new standard within the plumbing industry for designing and delivering products that are safe, circular and responsibly made," said Dr. Christina Raab, vice president of Strategy and Development for the Cradle to Cradle Certification® Products Innovation Institute.

Next challenge for GROHE

GROHE has taken a decisive step on the path to a circular future by achieving its first Cradle to Cradle Certified® products. But the journey continues. Bathroom products typically have a long life cycle, so in addition to achieving certifications for even more products, GROHE is already tackling the next challenge: future processes for returning C2C faucets that would otherwise be discarded.

GROHE also has a special GROHE COLORS collection. You can view it here.