I think it's like this because topic is difficult and everyone is guilty so there is attempt to marginalize it and just think "I did my part, I placed bottle in correct container". This part is easy and there is the problem - it's too easy and not enough to make a real difference.

Problem with waste stems also from wild consumptionism - for example: most phones, notebooks, displays produced nowadays are perfectly fine to last and be usable 5 years and more, cars - 20 years and more, but I doubt that majority of hn visitors are using their devices this long.

Recently I read here comment from someone who is using his Samsung phone for 10 years! I'm seriously admiring his dedication - it is hard to fight off desire, urge and social pressure to buy a new shiny toy.

Another topic is poverty and incredible amount of waste thrown into the rivers and oceans in some parts of Africa and Asia- when people are poor and they don't have sufficient living conditions then they don't care, waste management and environment is the last thing they think of. I remember how it was in 90s in central europe and how it changed over course of time.