I remember when "non-returnable glass" was introduced as a great advance in Spain about 20 years ago. Within 10 years everyone was already wringing their hands about recycling, but it didn't seem to occur to anyone to go back to returnable glass.

Another howler was when drink cartons acquired a plastic spigot, making them a lot harder to recycle, this within the last 10 years.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides