Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters result in the massive collection and recycling of "white debris" or destroyed appliances by governmental entities. They contain hazardous materials that must be removed before they can be recycled for their scrap metal value. The oils and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have to be evacuated by trained technicians. Foam insulation has to be dealt with separately. It's an expensive process. FEMA does assist communities with the cost of recycling white debris. Yet today, taxpayers are demanding that manufacturers--and their shareholders--take-back and recycle their own products. Should a recycling fee be collected at the point- of-sale for appliances to offset these expenses? Who should
