When local governments took on responsibility for solid waste more than a century ago, household waste was primarily coal ash leftover from heating and cooking. The rest was mainly food and a small amount of simple manufactured products like paper and glass. Today manufactured products and their packaging make up 75% of what we throw away. 

Most manufacturers don't pay anything to cover the costs of waste disposal. In fact, they're designing products to be thrown away - and taxpayers are picking up the tab.Local governments today are stuck with ever increasing costs for the recycling and disposal of computers, cameras, pharmaceuticals, batteries, and countless other consumer products. 

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