Why are Chinese parents buying empty milk cartons? (another case of incentives matter)

See China’s Plan B to Save the Economy: A Crusade Against Busywork: While growth stutters, a vast communist bureaucracy tries to liberate its workers from drudgery by Chun Han Wong of The WSJ. Excerpt:

"Some Chinese social-media users recently expressed bewilderment about a rise in online sales of empty milk cartons and dry pen-ink chambers. A cottage industry had emerged, it appeared, catering to parents who wanted to help their children meet recycling quotas set by their schools."

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