Capitalism operates on the basis of greed, not need. If a desired result can be accomplished at lower cost, it generally will be. Firms largely concern themselves only with first-order costs, leaving second-order costs to government, not least because the more abstract the nature of the cost, the fewer people are able to comprehend its existence.
If you're interested in this topic you may enjoy Ronald Coase's economic essay The Problem of Social Cost (which brought him a Nobel prize) and his body of work in general.
If you're interested in this topic you may enjoy Ronald Coase's economic essay The Problem of Social Cost (which brought him a Nobel prize) and his body of work in general.