This has got to be a supply/demand issue. Real estate drives the cost of disposal up enough to make it sensible to recycle versus mine. The only straightforward way for this to occur in the US is to have a government subsidy to make the cost of recycling equal to the cost of mining raw. Alternatively, time will drive the cost of mining raw material up and technology the cost of recyling down, so the cost-benefit ratio changes. Technology as salvation!
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This has got to be a supply/demand issue. Real estate drives the cost of disposal up enough to make it sensible to recycle versus mine. The only straightforward way for this to occur in the US is to have a government subsidy to make the cost of recycling equal to the cost of mining raw. Alternatively, time will drive the cost of mining raw material up and technology the cost of recyling down, so the cost-benefit ratio changes. Technology as salvation!