MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: e-waste and gadget ethics  (Read 3342 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: November 10, 2010, 06:15 »
0
The Story of Electronics (2010)


A nice video on you-tube about the waste our gadgets create.


« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2010, 07:21 »
0
Great video! Thanks for posting Leaf.

« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2010, 11:11 »
0
Excellent!

« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2010, 12:47 »
0
Cool video. I've paid quite a lot to local companies that pick up and recycle old computer and electronics (monitors and TVs are the most expensive components) but I'm not sure how I would check that they're on the level - that they really do recycle vs. just ship to another country to make more profit.

In the US, I think this is one of those things that needs to be done at the federal level - probably by EPA. It's always cheaper for a business to dump its waste vs. clean it up, so without laws to make dumping toxics illegal, businesses with a fiduciary duty to their shareholders will not do the long term right thing for the planet. The theme about shifting the costs back to the businesses that are the source of them seems to me the right way to think about the issue.

« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2010, 17:35 »
0
I knew this video, it's great. It does points out some important aspects in design, but it should also point out that we are in part responsible for the consumption, always after the latest model, just because it's cool.  Here in Brazil cell phones are like that, people upgrade just because of some new feature (or because the phone companies offer upgrades so cheap they can't resist!).  A colleague has just bought a new one because his didn't have an MP3 player and now he only needs to carry one thing.  It makes sense, but then it's not a sustainable posture.

National Geographic Magazine had an article months ago about the "recycling" of electronic components in Africa (exactly what they say about at around 4:00 in the video). It is shocking.

To be really "green" requires a change of attitude, of life standards even. And the whole product life must be considered.

« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2010, 00:19 »
0
As I am one of those "must have the latest gadgetry" kind of people, I take advantage of both CraigsList and a local email group called "FreeCycle" to get rid of my older electronics.  There is ALWAYS someone out there who can use your old stuff.  If it's worth something, get a few bucks for it... If it's not, give it away to someone who can actually use it.  I've also used FreeCycle to get stuff I need for free.  You should check to see if there is a similar movement in your area.

rubyroo

« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2010, 06:58 »
0
Yes!  Another vote for Freecycle here.  I've seen it work well in the UK.  Excellent.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
43 Replies
21102 Views
Last post December 03, 2010, 16:52
by qwerty
11 Replies
7714 Views
Last post January 29, 2009, 21:54
by Elenathewise
61 Replies
25881 Views
Last post March 24, 2017, 13:58
by dpimborough
9 Replies
6091 Views
Last post April 23, 2015, 12:30
by ShadySue
7 Replies
2906 Views
Last post February 07, 2017, 10:47
by niktol

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors