Filed under: e-waste recycling, Earth Day, electronic waste, Uncategorized | Tags: BAN, Basel Action Network, e-waste, e-waste recycling, Earth Day, electronic waste, eStewards, ipad
It seems that every time I’ve opened a magazine or read the business section of a paper or looked at a tech blog this month, there’s been at least one article on Apple’s new ipad. Combine that with my husband, who loves his iphone more than anything (except his dear family, of course), and I’m looking at the latest greatest new gadget coming my way soon…it’s not a question of if, but when. Now, I could take this blog post down the road of questioning our disposal culture and talking about where all that trash goes when you have people like my dear husband who has what amounts to an upgrade problem (but only in my eyes), but many have gone down that path before me!
First, since we are on the topic of electronics, you should check out Seattle-based Basel Action Network’s website and videos on overseas “digital dumps”…think alleys in Lagos, Nigeria and small villages like Guiyu, China. And, don’t forget to picture a 7 year old child disassembling your old computer and exposing themselves to toxic chemicals like dioxin. Second, don’t be the last person on your block to view Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff video to get you thinking about where your ”stuff” goes!
What I’d like to write about – in honor of Earth Week (since Earth Day is technically not until April 22) – is a solution for your own electronic waste (e-waste) disposal issues at home or at your office…whether you are a prolific technology upgrader or someone who uses your stuff until it breaks down, but still need to dispose of the old stuff and get a new this or that.
Last Thursday Basel Action Network announced the official launch of the world’s first global e-Waste Recycler Certification, called e-Stewards. This is the first such program backed by environmental organizations and major corporations alike. The rigorous certification program has not only been endorsed by Greenpeace USA, the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) but has also drawn the support of major corporate “e-Stewards Enterprises” including Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Samsung. And even the little guys like my own communications firm, Resource Media.
So, if you want to do a little act of kindness in honor of Earth Week, check it out and be sure to recycle your old electronics through a certified, bona fide e-waste recycler. And, while you’re at it, get your own company to sign on to the initiative by contacting BAN. Piece of cake!
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