Recycling is not a first world phenomenon. Not even close. In fact, developing countries might take first place for recycling and reusing used items. Even recycling as we know it- sending bottles, cans, plastic and paper- to plants for reuse exists in the third world.
If you've even been (or ever have the opportunity to go) to a developing nation, you've probably been through this scenario:
You buy a soda in a glass bottle, thank the vendor, and start to walk out the door. Before you make it two steps, you're being shouted at, likely in a language you don't speak. Turning to figure out the problem, you learn that you've made a rookie mistake. No one leaves with the glass bottle. You are expected to drink the soda there, and turn the bottle back in at the counter. As it was explained to me my first time, the soda manufacturers pay the vendors per bottle returned, and the vendors don't want people walking out the door with their refund.
So what if you want to walk around town while enjoying your beverage? Easy. They'll pour the drink into a plastic sandwich baggie for you, stick a straw in, and viola! you're good to go. It seems funny at first, walking around sucking a soda out of a baggie, but you quickly get used to it.
There are some countries where you're allowed to take the bottle, but you're charged up front for the refund cost. When you return the bottle (to any vendor), they return your investment.
This sounds familiar. I think when I was a kid we got cash for turning in cans and bottles. I distinctly remember collecting cans for candy money. Whatever happened to those days? Now they expect us to do it for free...

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