GreenDot implementation as a business case for recycling economics was examined here in California when the Electronics Recycling was in formation. There were some structural problems with the way that money moved through the system, the product categories, the marking system and the handling systems. Improvements are possible, and the obstacles in the GreenDot system are real.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Electronic_Waste_Re...
Now about 30 years later, the Germans are eager to sort their trash but the recycling quote is still laughably low. Less than 20% of sorted trash gets recycled for usage in plastic (and instead just burned, reusing the thermal energy) and people still have ridiculous habits (e.g. wrapping Bananas with plastic bags).
What we see is: It's all damn industry lies, one part of politicians susceptible for industry lobbying, the other part of politicians antagonized for "limiting consumer freedom", a lot of green-/whitewashing campaigns and consumers who refuse to change their habits.
Do you see a pattern?