[armenarmen]

> There are only so many junkers and that number is reducing as society standards increase and they have better ways of making a living than hauling bottles to recycling centers.

I think that the parent commenter meant Mining Companies when saying junkers. So large industrial mineral extraction operation from landfills and dumps, as opposed to 3rd world style picking through rubbish.

I'd imagine that a ton of landfill waste would be comparable to relatively rich ore, and that harvesting it is perhaps less destructive/invasive than opening a new mine.