When Free Market Recycling Mechanisms Must be Tampered With

As was evidenced toward the end of 2008, free markets don’t always work as they’re supposed to without a bit if intervention. The same is true in the case of recycling. There would be no such thing as municipal recycling programs if it were not for public monies to help these industries get started.

The same is true whenever a new recycling technology is introduced. To offset the cost of innovation, the “free market” is manipulated by the injection of large sums of public cash to make it affordable more quickly.

Like many other services that are invested in for the public good, recycling is something that has tangible benefits beyond the basic balance sheet. It is an investment in future savings by encouraging a behavior and establishing a market for recycled products.