> There's a pretty well-developed waste-stream sorting technical capability now, though the best time to disaggregate is prior to disposal (e.g., different recy

> There's a pretty well-developed waste-stream sorting technical capability now, though the best time to disaggregate is prior to disposal (e.g., different recycling bins), or barring that, on collection (where much does happen). True, and sorting capability is getting better every day. I was looking into building my own sorting robots a few years ago and found that they're already pretty much off-the-shelf now, eh? I do like the idea of people paying me to give me raw materials. > In practice, the economics of recycled material resale are poor (IMO a market dysfunction), and the effort is often not cost-effective. That's highly unfortunate. I agree. Maybe carbon costs will make recycled materials more acceptable. > Tip scavenging is also a well-established informal labour niche in low-wage societies. Again, with high negative externalities and societal costs. Again, unfortunate. I've been there. I was homeless for a few years. It's insane what people throw away. And then they lock the dumpsters so you can't salvage it. Madness. But I think you're talking more about the folks who basically live in the waste streams, like the families living in the Mexico City dump, or parts of rural China until they stopped importing waste?