Some product components are easily recyclable or biodegradable, but our waste management systems in the US are not set up to handle the recycling or composting of many of these components. i.e. Even if a product is made from recyclable plastic and placed in the correct recycling bin, it is still most likely to be landfilled.
Should we continue to design recyclable or compostable products that we "hope" will not be landfilled, or can we create products that are good for the planet that work within our current infrastructure? What are ways to accomplish this?