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CHOOSE A RESPONSIBLE E-WASTE RECYCLER!!
Electronic
devices surround us; circuit boards are in everything from computers to cell
phones. Electronics recycling is a difficult process that involves
extremely toxic materials like lead and mercury. As consumers, recycling
electronics, or “e-waste,” is easy to do, as long as we are aware of the
“greenwashing” that occurs in this industry. “Greenwashing” is the practice
of making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a service
and making it appear to be “greener” than it actually is.
Schools,
charities and other groups are regularly approached by operations offering e-waste
fundraiser events. Sadly, while many of these e-waste operations claim to
be “green,” the fact is that most old TVs, computers, and other e-waste
collected for “reuse” or “recycling” end up as illegal and harmful exports.
Up to 80% of the discarded electronics collected each year in North America
are exported to developing countries, where impoverished villagers, especially
children, toil over burn piles and acid baths to separate small amounts of
precious metals from toxic components, creating an environmental nightmare
in the process.
The Basel Action
Network has created the e-Stewards® Initiative to help consumers select
recyclers who run environmentally and socially responsible operations.
Qualified e-Stewards®
recyclers agree not to dump toxic e-waste in developing
countries, local landfills or incinerators; to prevent the exposure of
private data; and to be accountable for the entire recycling chain and final
disposition of toxic materials. To avoid being duped by greenwashing, use
an e-Stewards®
recycler. Learn more or find local e-Stewards®
recyclers at
www.e-Stewards.org
or click here for a
brochure.
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