It would be nice if the cost of disposal could be factored in to the cost of the product at the time of sale (e.g. a tax or something). Assuming that random consumers are going to do the "right thing" (or even can) at the end of the life of a product is never going to address the problem. But if toxic products cost more at the time of sale (instead of the cost being externalized as it often is now), then I bet the market will figure out how to make products that are not as toxic. Let competition work its "wonders"... Hopefully...
Olivier Mehani, Christopher Allan Webber likes this.
Well, that's surprisingly similar to bottle-collection fees in nothern European countries or South Australia (that's the only ones I personally know; I'm sure there must be others).
Pay extra money when you buy the equipment, get it back when you return it to the disposal facitily, or use it towards the fee for the replacement unit.
I once when to a Festival (Hellfest 2006) which did it for glasses. You actually had to pay 1€ for a plastic glass (sturdier than the usual thin disposable ones), keep it, and get your next beer in it rather than in a new glass. The result? Far less plastic garbage on the ground!
Pay extra money when you buy the equipment, get it back when you return it to the disposal facitily, or use it towards the fee for the replacement unit.
I once when to a Festival (Hellfest 2006) which did it for glasses. You actually had to pay 1€ for a plastic glass (sturdier than the usual thin disposable ones), keep it, and get your next beer in it rather than in a new glass. The result? Far less plastic garbage on the ground!