Inaccessible supply of used materials

Lack of second-hand markets
Inadequate trade in recyclable materials

Nature

Inaccessible supply of used materials refers to the challenges faced in obtaining recycled or second-hand materials due to logistical, economic, or regulatory barriers. This issue hampers sustainability efforts, as valuable resources remain underutilized or wasted. Factors contributing to this problem include inadequate infrastructure for collection and processing, lack of awareness among consumers and businesses, and restrictive policies that discourage recycling. The result is a reliance on virgin materials, which exacerbates environmental degradation and resource depletion. Addressing this issue is crucial for promoting a circular economy and reducing the ecological footprint of production and consumption.

Claim

Second-hand materials are undervalued in our throw-away society.

Counter-claim

The Chicago Board of Trade has began a modern electronic "stock exchange" for recyclable commodities. Materials for inclusion in the first state are paper, plastics, glass and aluminium cans.