Most of us don't think twice about where it will wind up when we throw out that monitor or keyboard (and about all of the toxic chemicals that are present in that electronic waste) . Well, it goes to third world countries in Asia and Africa, where children are paid pittances to recycle the e-waste at the expense of their development and health.
Where does e-waste end up? | Greenpeace International
Ultimately, the large computer companies like Apple, HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc. need to take responsibility for their waste. The most progressive companies have discovered that it's possible to make waste = food (make their products 100% biodegradable, so that when it's discarded in landfills, over time it will break down and replenish the soil, rather than poison it). Apple in particular, I find to be hypocritical for it likes to present itself as progressive and edgy but 100% of its products are manufactured in China and Greenpeace has found that it still uses many toxic materials (more so than its competitors).
On a smaller scale, mobile phone companies, like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, etc., also should be pressured to reduce their environmental impact. People, nowadays, discard their mobile like it's a candy wrapper and don't realize how detrimental their actions can be towards children on the other side of the world.
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