Originally Posted by
Konshens
As for the recycling manufactory, it shines when it comes to upgrading. Getting to level 3 is not so much of a problem, but upgrading to level 4 and 5 will mean that you only need to upgrade a single building instead of the 5-6 for a single coking chain.
Level 4 Upgrades :
Recycling Manufactory - 500 coins, 1000 marble
Coking Chain - 3000 coins, 1800 marble
Level 5 Upgrades :
Recycling Manufactory - 800 exo planks, 1000 granite
Coking Chain - 3000 exo planks, 1800 granite
Taking the math a little further, by upgrading it to level 4 I save 2500 coins. Based on Sandycove's current gem price (~2.5 coins per gem), I could buy 1000 gems worth of stuff from other players, thus saving my own 1000 gems and practically paying for the recycling plant itself.
Another problem it solves but not until much later in the game and depending on your economy, is that you may not have space to lay down an efficient coking chain.