ecological footprint = shift the tax to where it belongs

I'm really glad to see that awareness of the "net energy balance" of various types of alternative fuels is starting to take root.
I would like to apply the same idea to consumer goods in terms of net ecological footprint: the product would be taxed based on not just the energy required to produce, package and ship it, but also to recycle the packaging and the product itself at the end of its useful life. Those costs would inevitably be flowed-through to the consumers (easing pressure off municipal taxpayers).
No doubt a political hot potato, I think something like that might actually reward earth-conscious consumers (rather than have to pay a premium for thinking green as is the current practice).
And maybe, just maybe, it just might get manufacturers to improve their product and packaging designs.
And maybe, (now I'm really stretching it) maybe the higher costs will get some people to rethink their habits of not looking after what they've got, because it's more ecological than replacing it even if it's oh-SO-last-week. That would ease a bit of the pressure on the already overstuffed landfill sites and like I said earlier would reduce the homeowner's tax burden a bit.
Not to mention, we would all breathe a little easier too, and our kids just might get to enjoy the same planet we grew up with.
This will probably take a few more years and somebody younger, smarter, more telegenic and more eloquent than yours truly (yeah I acknowledge it's a pretty low standard), so just remember you heard it from me first.