First, we have
a faulty and misleading accounting system in which the
market price of a product does not include the harmful
environmental and health costs associated with the
product during its life cycle.
Second, there is an uneven economic playing field,
because in most countries, resource-extracting industries
receive more government tax breaks and subsidies
than recycling and reuse industries get.
Third, the demand and thus the price paid for recycled
materials fluctuates, mostly because buying goods
made with recycled materials is not a priority for most
governments, businesses, and individuals.