A new idea is being floated (hearty laughter) to bring down defunct satellites:
Attach a big 'ol balloon to 'em.
The idea is that the big balloon will substantially increase atmospheric drag, bringing down the satellites real quick, without using maneuvering fuel. When they're about to re-enter, then the remaining fuel can be used to steer them into the oceans (if they're big enough to survive reentry in some form).
I thought there was a problem -- what about satellites that are completely out of fuel? They thought of that; use the balloon to bring them nearly down; deflate them; calculate the re-entry; re-inflate the balloon to finish the job. Good idea if they don't miss.
This system could be attached to new satellites or a satellite in space could go around sticking it on big pieces of junk and old satellites.
This still leaves the problem of all the little pieces... but it's a start.
Safe and efficient de-orbit of space junk without making the problem worse: Gossamer Orbit Lowering Device (GOLD)
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