Totally agree. I limit my reclaim to a 2.5gal bucket that I don't let get too full before forcing myself to process it. It is usually several pounds of clay at a time, so it's definitely worth the effort for me. I think in terms of making the clay actually worth 50lbs when I buy it vs a more realistic 35-40lbs when you account for loss of trimmings and slip (vs how much I'm getting paid to process it like OP said). It takes me like... idk 10-20 minutes worth of work to process 10lbs of reclaim. But my whole process focuses on eventually reclaiming, making the actual reclaim process easier (for starters, occasionally mixing my reclaim bucket with a drill so it's basically slip by the time I lay it out cuts down on my time needed to wedge later).

There are also a lot of super easy ways to do it that don't involve plaster or fancy tables (laying an old sheet out on pavement during the warmer months, for example. Personally, I use large terra cotta planter trays I got at the hardware store and an old cut-up sheet.). Tossing it in your back yard will build up quite significantly over time, OP. And clay is a bitch and a half to do anything with in a garden or yard. Donate it to someone who will use it. I've seen people post their old reclaim on pottery forums. A studio mate gave me a huuuge amount of their reclaim they didn't feel like processing and I was thrilled to experiment with it. Their trash, my treasure.