The Greenpeace website has a set of interesting articles on e-waste. Interestingly, as a consumer, I have plenty of e-waste in my home, including several mobile phones ready to be recycled. The website provides some interesting facts about e-waste
‘ The average lifespan of computers in developed countries has dropped from six years in 1997 to just two years in 2005.
Mobile phones have a lifecycle of less than two years in developed countries.
183 million computers were sold worldwide in 2004 - 11.6 percent more than in 2003.
674 million mobile phones were sold worldwide in 2004 - 30 percent more than in 2003.
By 2010, there will be 716 million new computers in use. There will be 178 million new computer users in China, 80 million new users in India.’
The article focuses on the dangerous chemicals in e-waste and their impact on workers, who recycle and work with the products, mostly in LEDC countries. It seems that there can be 500-1000 different hazardous chemicals in one mobile phone.
As well as some useful flash animations, there is an article on how ‘green’ different electronics producers are; Nokia leading the way it seems. There is also a ‘ Hall of Shame’, showing photo evidence of illegal e-waste being recycled in China, despite this being banned by the central government in the year 2000. There is also an interesting photo gallery, with images that could be used as starters.
I think this would make a great mini-topic for people as consumers; especially as electronics companies have also come in for criticism about how and where they manufacture their products, and the conditions their workers endure. For further information see CAFOD’s campaign to ‘ Clean up your Computer’.
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Hello, my name is Alex, i’m a newbie here. I really do like your resource and really interested in things you discuss here, also would like to enter your community, hope it is possible:-) Cya around, best regards, Alex!
You’re welcome Alex, unless you are spam!