The point is that the economic equation will change. Why is it that it's cheaper to buy new than repair old? In part, it's because the cost of disposal has been shifted away, rather than being incorporated into the price of the replacement.
Having the manufacturer pay a tax in advance does put pressure on the consumer, because that tax has to be incorporated into the product pricing.
> Moreover, anything that involves an "assessment" is bound to be gamed by the manufactures. See e.g. the recent VW car emission scandal.
I agree it's a challenge. I wonder if there's some way to close the loop - so that manufacturers who game the system to achieve an artificially low disposal price end up making up the shortfall when the fake price isn't achieved.
Having the manufacturer pay a tax in advance does put pressure on the consumer, because that tax has to be incorporated into the product pricing.
> Moreover, anything that involves an "assessment" is bound to be gamed by the manufactures. See e.g. the recent VW car emission scandal.
I agree it's a challenge. I wonder if there's some way to close the loop - so that manufacturers who game the system to achieve an artificially low disposal price end up making up the shortfall when the fake price isn't achieved.