I think the Cradle to Cradle framework is the “best” because Principles 2) and 4) of it’s four main principles offered me perspectives on recyclability that I’d never considered before.
Principle 2) “Waste equals Food.” Applying natural processes that have been perfected over thousands of years of evolution to immediate human methodologies seems astounding to me. Nature has no waste. In the natural world, organisms never expel trash; their waste always productive in other natural processes, and is even used directly by other organisms. On the other hand, the majority of man-made byproducts are thrown away as if our environment is an “unlimited trash dump.” However, if we rethought our waste procedures into things that could be productive, like helping us make food, we could increase efficiency and lower costs of so many things.
Principle 4) Use “upcyclable” materials. This concept takes materials and recycles them into an improved product. Although a great idea (and a completely new concept to me), it is not yet feasible in many product categories. For example, white paper can only be recycled into downgraded qualities (newspaper, etc). In fact, this concept is only possible with types of glass, aluminum, and a few types of plastics. However, as technological advancements improve, “upcyclability” will improve as well. However, because human technology is always advancing, I believe we will be able to achieve “upcyclability” in the near future. Imagine being able to recycle tattered cotton socks into a luxurious cotton shirt on a consistent basis. Or, imagine recycling rusted, scattered and scrapped car parts recycled into industrial strength metals. We’re so close!!