Arkay, you are right about the environmental issues. In this way, its a very good thing that this generation is clueless about audio. Same thing with TVs--the CRT is pretty much phased out, which means less lead and glass becoming landfill en masse.
However, if we can save and use some of this 'refuse' then why shouldn't we? These collection centers strongly discourage trashpicking, yet alot of the stuff can be rescued. Maybe at a recycling center, a 'picked' piece means less dollar-signs for the man in charge?
IME, people in the trash biz could care less about mother nature.
It is a shame about the pollution issues in the far east. Thats the thing about mankind--often times we sacrifice health for the almighty dollar. Reminds me of EPA Superfund workers...Somebody's gotta do it.
One issue which has concerned me as of late is the tendency of people to use bottled water _all of the time_! The amount of refuse, as well as the amount of oil used in bottled water is appalling. Makes zero sense in this city, since our water is rated one of the best in the nation(world) and this May there was legislation passed to protect the watersheds upstate well into the future.