It's also the fact that the recycling systems are still behind consumer expectations.

Many would look at a plastic bag and expect that it could be broken down and reused, or that the glass in a lightbulb could be recovered. If we cared more about reuse than cost, we would. Hopefully sorting machines will continue to improve and be able to sort out bags without getting clogged all the time.

I agree it hasn't "backfired" in any way.