A Problem In Search Of A Solution…
As Japan seems well on its way to solving a global problem for their limited space, one wonders why we in the US are so slow on the uptake. Oh, it’s a two pronged problem: taxes and advertising.
Look at the posters encouraging frugality (amongst other social movements) during the Second World War. The US came together and went from producing automobiles to producing war machines, seemingly overnight. They were told to do so by Roosevelt and constantly reminded of their “duty” through the myriad of posters espousing the American effort. That was the advertising co-efficient.
As for taxes, if we taxed every cigarette butt, every piece of plastic, and all disposable products made from any material at high rates, then paid those who brought in the waste for recycling 90% of the original tax/deposit, be that person the original purchaser, or a homeless alcoholic in search of enough money for the night’s needs, our ugly way of life would change immediately. However, as it stands now, there’s no incentive or punishment that will change our behavior.
