Recycling, save for very specific things, is neither environmentally beneficial nor economically viable. To me that has always seemed like a problem to be solv

Recycling, save for very specific things, is neither environmentally beneficial nor economically viable. To me that has always seemed like a problem to be solved, rather than just tossing it all. Sure, that's the way it is today, but is it the way it has to be? If metals are so eminently recyclable, why can't other materials be? I also have a sneaking suspicion that raw materials & landfills are just as subsidized if not more, making it difficult to rely on cost effectiveness as the ultimate arbiter of environmental friendliness or total social cost.