I've lived in NYC for over 50 years. I try to only use glass bottles and containers to store everything and everything I buy comes in plastic that can't be recycled because it's cheaper to sell that way.

Thankfully we have ethnic markets, and you bring you own bag. Bulk rice, beans, fruits, dried good, etc. I'd rather recycle a glass bottle and brown paper bags than toss plastic into a landfill.

But you are right, the manufacturers have zero incentive to sell things that last. Heck I have an old black and white TV that is older than I am and still works. Can't tell you how many LCD tv's we have tossed over the years.

I keep saying our garbage dumps will be the mines that our future generations will be digging though. If we don't become sustainable we'll drown in our own crap and nothing will be left for future generations.