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'60 Minutes' Explores America's Massive E-Waste Exports to China
While domestic recycling programs are good-intentioned, often the most toxic of our e-waste is shipped illegally back to China and boiled down for its precious metals under some of the most crude conditions you can imagine. When faced with the choice of familial poverty or the slow accumulation of poison in their bloodstream (for $8 per day), it's not hard to imagine what many rural Chinese people will choose.
So while we give Greenpeace's self-congratulatory promotions and oft-subjective "Guide to Greener Electronics" company ratings the occasional hard time, its attempts to raise e-waste awareness are commendable. Now go ahead, check the video from 60 Minutes's intrepid reporters after the break and let the guilt wash over you (especially after you see how some particularly angry e-waste workers try to jump the CBS news crew).
Update: As noted by reader Jason, a more thorough (and disturbing) exploration of these e-waste dumps can be found in a Current TV video shot last year in the same region. [From: CBS News]
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Comments
18
Subscribe to commentskdNov 10th 2008 2:16PM
we're suposed to wory about them??? they tox US!!!!
KimNov 10th 2008 3:51PM
Those innocent villagers did not poison anyone. It's not like they are quality inspectors or corrupt government officials. You have no heart.
SusanNov 10th 2008 5:58PM
It seems to be a "tit for tat" situation. We do not get quality products from China. China knows what they are getting from us. Unfortunately, we know what we are getting in return. Perhaps this is a form of economic warfare. It will take time to see who actually wins out. In the meantime...buy American.
wongtpaNov 10th 2008 3:55PM
Obama admires China's infrastructure. He was caught on tape praising China. This is what Obama has in mind for us. Won't it be great? NOT !!!! Anyone who voted for Obama will be blamed.
HeatherNov 12th 2008 1:54PM
That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. How is it that some people will find blame with someone else rather than admit our country makes a LOT of mistakes? You can't blame Obama for this, he hasn't been the one in charge. You're looking for a reason to push our country's problems (meaning as a WHOLE COUNTRY) and mistakes onto someone who didn't create them. Why don't you blame "President" Bush seeing as how he's been more concerned with dropping bombs and ruining our economy than making sure we're following our own laws of trade? You know why you won't? Because you're an angry, bitter person who cannot accept that the rest of this country has spoken and a solid majority of us do not want more of the same. You are the reason America voted to elect President-elect Obama, because you are just MORE OF WHAT IS RUINING AMERICA. Now, please go back to your miserable little life and leave the rest of us to fix what's been damaged.
spittinAnailNov 10th 2008 5:16PM
that's just too bad ain't it , and I'm suppose to do what !?!
JimNov 10th 2008 5:19PM
WONGTPA----It is ignorant red-necks like you that will destroy this country from within. As long as you worship morons like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Riley we will have nothing to fear from the RepubliKKKan party for many years.
michaelNov 10th 2008 7:28PM
how about the obama rednecks? who do they listen to and worship?
John HowellNov 10th 2008 6:08PM
With all this hand-wringing about us poisoning China, where's the concern about China poisoning the world with emissions from all the new coal-fired plants? Screw those barbarians!
leedragonNov 10th 2008 6:20PM
Did anyone watch the clip we the US are shipping the waste to them illegally We as a country should be ashamed computer waste is a big problem and it is going to get bigger
Brian L. HopeNov 10th 2008 6:43PM
The one hallmark of a civilized society is that everyone is held accountable to everyone else for their actions, and nobody is able to exist outside the law. That is why, although China is a major world power, it has a long way to go before others will regard that country as a moral leader in the world community of nations.
gravitybearNov 10th 2008 8:25PM
To wongtpa: Get real. "Caught on tape praising China." Oh my! Because no one else has ever praised China.
to kd and John Howell: Are you insane? "They poison us so we'll poison them right back"? Is that what you mean? 'Cause that's messed up.
ErinNov 10th 2008 7:14PM
That has to be one of the stupidest things I have ever wasted a minute of my life reading.
JohnNov 10th 2008 7:27PM
Well Erin, all I can say is: OFW! I didn't write it, but I do appreciate humor/satire, no matter how cutting. If you can't buy a sense of humor, then by all means, rent one...
Must be a democrat. And no, I'm not a Republican, either. If it bothers you that much, report me to the obama thought police, OK?
mdwitkowskiNov 10th 2008 7:34PM
the only problem with the letter is that only half the people in america can read it!
Jim BNov 10th 2008 8:17PM
John----
THAT AWS THE MOST disgusting crap that I have ever heard from a republican.... I will get right to the fat of it-----if you dont like what I have to write you can kiss my Oklahoman ass!!!! We all know that Bush has all but ruined the United States of America, if he had 1 more year this would be Mexico but even they could not afford the price of gas or food. You are just as sick as the rest of the republicans--trying to run an idiot like mccain against a real honest man, and I will bet something else you are Bush's neighbor right? If not you are just a suck ass trying to get in with him so you can go to his VERY LARGE BBQ'S that will be thrown for years to come. I think he should be impeached and we could save a lot of tax dollars. Bush doesnot deserve retirement for what he has done in office he does deserve to be impeached.
Dennis AdamsNov 10th 2008 9:12PM
Loved the Bush resignation speech. Boy he said a mouthful. Bet the me tal midgets still don't get it. We'll se what happens in the next four years. I not to optimistic about our future. I haven't bought into the cult yet.
This guy Obama seems to be all sizzle and no steak but what do I know maybe he'll suprise me and do what's right for America. If he starts bringing the creeps to the White House that's the first sign it's over.
You know the creeps Chavez, Castro and the others of his ilk. I never thought in a million years that I would have liked to have seen Clinton going up against McCain. I don't think I have to learn to speak Farsi though, maybe Mandarin.
I loved watching the Palestinans dancing in the streets after Obama was elected. These were the same creeps dancing after the WTC was bombed. Says a lot in my book
pushkaNov 13th 2008 2:21PM
I did a paper a couple of years ago for college about this very issue and it's actually very interesting when you get into what is being done about it. There is a popular reggae musician in Johannesburg (I can't think of his name however you can goggle who he is), he has a whole set up as far as a company that is disassembling old tech stuff and has actually created jobs within the country. To bad someone here in the US didn't think of something along that lines because there would be a lot of factory jobs to be had in that situation and there is a ton of money to be made or at least was based upon what is inside of some of this tech. Especially considering how much is disposed of and people do not know where to dispose tech things. On a cautionary tale there is a lot lot lot of bad stuff inside computer monitors, plasma tvs and so on. Something I encourage everyone to do if and when they update cell phones is take them to a local shelter or find out if your provider will take them back and donate them to local shelter for people who are in abusive situations. They will be able to dial 911. Or keep the old phone, keep it charged and put it with the emergency supplies because once again you can always dial 911.