"t's such a scary thing to realize how much of our economy is based on buying useless, disposable, pointless items,"

Yeah, isnt it. But there is a shift going on. There are new industries sprouting everywhere, governments actually supporting their growth..- there are growing industries too..
Power companies are having to restructure and build new facilities,.. new knowledge is being applied, new companies founded..
Motor industry is restructuring.. You cant tell me that the consumer, nor the industry, are going to give up using cars,- especially not in the USA. So new types of vehicles will have to be built, new standards, new facilities to provide them. I am optimistic. In the long run this is going to produce much needed change,.. last minute is still better than never.

Recycling is going to get more and more profitable,- sorting and re-using facilities are needed

The baby-boomer generation is now moving into health care needs, retirement facilities, community programs..
The baby-boom generation has always dominated the consumer market, and whoever provides whatever their needs are, is doing well.

I love BND, it really makes you think about your own and consumerism in general..