I think recycling is important to prevent waste of things that can be used again. Do you recycle?
Yes I actually do apart of my HOA fees we have a recycle bin in our sub division. 
It's a great alternative to the way we have thrown things away in the past and hopefully help save the environment. 
I really hope it helps more because you would be surprised how much trash is around my city people don't recycle or throw items away and it is hurting our surroundings. 
I guess people don't want to be bothered. You should post "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" posters around the city to remind people.
There actually is a ad similar to that slogan on the dumpster trucks from the city, and they don't my grandfather was big on recycling he still today recycles cans.
I don't know why people won't do it. It can be collect curbside and then someone else will sort it and do all the work for them. 
You are righ about that because a lot of people dumpster dive, and for the same reasons will get things to recycle and turn them in to get a few bucks.
We used to have street scavengers when our local trash company would do spring clean up. It would bring all kinds of people out to dig in your trash. Crazy!