I still like the idea of a recycling machine.
Crafted items can return ingredients (at a reduced rate), and base items return coin (could use similar single, bulk and mass for more efficiency as other machines).
This would help to normalise prices and have an outlet for the piles of items that do not sell.
It would removing more items from the game, which in turn will encourage more gathering when you realise all those fibrous leaves actually have a purpose, and also generating coin to stimulate the economy.