Founder connections
- Bill GatesPositive review
“How we can cut carbon emissions by using less stuff.”
Gates reviewed the book on December 7, 2015. He praised its conclusions about using and making materials, while noting that its technical detail may be too much for most general readers.Source
Summary
Julian Allwood, Jonathan Cullen and colleagues examine the materials that underpin buildings, vehicles and everyday goods, including steel, aluminium, cement, plastic and paper. They compare improvements in production with ways to use less material through design, reduced waste, reuse and longer product life. The book considers energy and emissions alongside business activity, public policy and individual choices.
Why read it Our view
Useful for founders who design or buy physical products. The book offers ways to examine the material required to provide a service, where production wastes it and how reuse or longer life could change demand.