I think the point is for consumers to bear the cost and vote with their wallet. The problem is that the disposal costs of stuff aren't borne directly by the con

I think the point is for consumers to bear the cost and vote with their wallet. The problem is that the disposal costs of stuff aren't borne directly by the consumer (e.g. as a disposal tax) but collectively by the community. It's a tragedy of the commons, but not the one you think it is. I pay a fixed waste collection tax, and the marginal cost of throwing stuff away (or "recycling" it) is 0.