The Dark Side of Recycling

Craig Mackintosh

Recycling is a good thing, right? Well, not always.... Free market mechanisms mean that, when seeking labour services, they are generally procured with the lowest cost being the priority. While it costs $20 to recycle a computer in the United States, it costs only $2 to do so in a place like India. As a result, much of our e-waste heads to developing countries, where, conversely, a little hard currency is prized over health and environmental concerns.

The clip below sheds light on this practice -- with children physically handling cadmium and other health-threatening substances, breathing toxic fumes from acids (which, when spent, are subsequently poured into local open sewers) and the burning of circuit boards.

 

Once again, the first two Rs in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" need a lot more attention. There's no better way to eliminate end waste than to not create the product in the first place.

Hat tip: The Sietch Blog

Further Reading:

Add a comment
  • to get your picture next to your comment (not a member yet?).
  • (hint: logged in Celsias members don't have to fill in this)
  • Posted on March 3, 2008. Listed in:

    See other articles written by Craig »


    Pledge to do these related actions

    Crowdfund a Brew Hostel, 11°

    When you've got a Sustainable Cohousing Network, Crowdfunding a Brew Hostel is the logical next ...

    Switch to natural cleaning products and get rid of household chemicals!, 617°

    Out at the Homestead we have made the switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products. Baking ...

    Veggie Garden, 217°

    Cleared a large swathe of overgrown mess at the end of the garden and put ...

    Follow these related projects

    RecyclingPins

    Braga, Portugal

    Skipso

    London, United Kingdom

    Featured Companies & Orgs