Part of this issue though is wage stagnation (At least in the US), not an insatiable need for cheap things. People used to buy well-made things that lasted. But with people now having to work two jobs just to make rent, they have to resort to cheaper stuff just to make it by and manufacturers saw this market and took advantage.
Buy it: Good Assuming I’m Just An Old Woman Was Your First Mistake Shirt
The problem is that it all just comes down to money. Corporations don’t care about saving the planet, they care about the bottom dollar. And the politicians that could try and do something are either bought, or don’t have enough support (because the other politicians are bought), and can’t get anything done.