Recycling rethink

I have a question. At what % of recycling would the environmental debate fade away for packaging ?

If there were 100% recycling, then all materials could be repeatedly re-used and the only extra requirement would be for market growth. Continued lightweighting might enable overall self-sufficiency for years.

Above 50% is more than half, but not enough to diminish concerns.

80% might work for many people, especially if bottles, cans and other packs included 80% recycled content.

But it may make more economic sense for some recycled material to go into other uses, because of the cost involved in separation and cleaning for human consumption.

Then there is the emotional debate about source of materials. Will oil-based origins always be subject to emotional concerns ? Will plant-based origins always benefit from the flip side of the same emotions, provided the plant base is from waste and not from food ?

My view is that consumers have two deep down instincts or prejudices. Water is vital and should essentially be free. Oil is bad, but necessary, until affordable renewable alternatives become available.

So industry has to keep on improving recycling, but it may never be enough for complete social acceptance. Plant-based packaging materials could well become the consumer choice of the future.