September 19th, 2008
Out of our hands, but not out of our lives. New info on green tech dumping
We’ve all heard the horrible stories about discarded tech from the United States that has shown up across India and Asia. Because the coverage of this topic has gotten better, you may have been lulled into thinking that the situation has gotten a whole lot better. But this ongoing blog from the Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition documents just how far we have to go to ensure that computers, electronics, monitors and such are recycled and disassembled in ways that are ensure not just for the environment but for humans.
I’ve been watching the blog for a few weeks now, but the thing that got me to point to it today is the link they’ve posted to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office about the Environmental Protection Agency’s track record in policing this area. Conclusion: Not so great.
It’s all a reminder that while we’re getting better about knowing that old tech needs to be recycled or refurbished or put to rest, we need to do a better job of understanding where it winds up once it’s out of our hands or office.
Heather Clancy is an award-winning business journalist in the New York area with more than 20 years experience covering the high-tech industry. See her full profile and disclosure of her industry affiliations. See her full profile and disclosure of her industry affiliations.
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