For years I’ve called recycling a government mandated industry with no markets. (admitted overstatement)
A quarter of a century ago there was a proper recycling industry, but then the government mandates commenced, glutting the markets with products. Prices and profits collapsed, and materials started to be stored for future price increases. The glut has increased, and with demand in today’s economy reducing further, the profitability of the entire enterprise becomes completely predictable.
Modern recycling is the stupidest business model ever. What businesses can depend on all that uncompensated labor to marshall their raw materials for them? If the companies that recycle can’t afford to buy their feedstocks it’s not a business, it’s a government boondoggle.
For years recycled trash was exported to China for processing. No more:
http://qz.com/117151/us-states-banned-from-exporting-their-trash-to-china-are-drowning-in-plastic/