The problem with making decisions based only on the -immediate- money part, is that often the TRUE cost of dealing with a product is not represented in the purchase of the product itself. Often the long term costs associated with it are shoved off onto someone else that does not want them. So it is already happening where people are making decisions WE have to pay for.
As an example, buy a car tire. Some people after they are done, find It is far cheaper for them to toss the tires on the back road someplace than to pay for recycling the tire, instead of using "common sense" and being "responsible."  But then, they are not taking into consideration that they are creating an environment for rats and mosquitoes to breed n spread diseases, and a good starting point for a high heat brush fire. All of those bare larger expenses than if they had simply paid for recycling. Your kids get sick from rat crap, and you end up with emergency room bills. Who really paid for those tires ?