Until a time, the waste generated in your homes, offices etc, would be recycled to stop the disastrous effects on the environment. That was an effort to make the environment greener, but later as we shifted to more machines, more technologically dependent way of living, the waste generated by such a lifestyle was not only abundant, but extremely harmful to the environment.
Technology in the USA is part and parcel of American lifestyle. It enables many telecommute or do work from the leisure of their homes, do virtual shopping sitting in a place, sell products and services online.