(4 out of 5)I am a socially responsible citizen of this planet. Every room in my home has been equipped with compact fluorescent energy-efficient light bulbs, I’ve watched Al Gore’s movie, heck I even went online and ran my personal Carbon Footprint Calculator in an effort to be as green as possible. When asked “Do you recycle?” I proudly respond “Yes I do!” and I go on my merry way. Life is good and I am doing my part to save the planet.
After watching this CBS 60 Minutes report, I was shocked and appalled that despite my best efforts to make a difference, those efforts are simply not enough. More importantly, that my habits are directly affecting the lives of others not as fortunate as me.
What do you think?
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
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3 Pings to “The Electronic Wasteland”
19 Responses to “The Electronic Wasteland”
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1. Katelyn Klinck Says:
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:50 pmI’m glad that 60 minuts did a segment on this and I hope that they continue to pry because the more attention it gets the less it will happen. It is so sad that this happens and needs to be brought to more people’s attention
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2. LB Says:
March 1st, 2010 at 1:26 pmUnfortunately, I still want new technical toys. I want the latest phone, computer, Wii game, etc. I wish there was a way that we could move forward without hurting others.
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3. Stephen Says:
March 4th, 2010 at 6:24 pmAfter reading this, i always knew things like this existed. so reluctantly i never really cared to recycle. Like people above said all my efforts gone to waste, well not mine because i knew things like this existed before the major push to recycle.
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4. RJ C Says:
March 4th, 2010 at 6:33 pmAgree with the technical toys, I like having the latest technology, and I too wish there was a way to move forward without hurting others and still having them.
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5. John Vanore Says:
April 14th, 2010 at 11:14 amI certainly like having the newest technological gadgets, but if I knew my use of these gadgets was hurting so many people I would probably have changed my buying habits, and I will change my habits from now on.
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6. Juhair K. Says:
April 20th, 2010 at 1:28 amI did not know that these old electronics were shipped to poor countries like this. I wonder what happened to the CEO of the executive recycling company
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7. Kristin Brathole Says:
April 20th, 2010 at 12:43 pmI didn’t know that these electronic wastelands were out there. Like most people said, everyone is still going to want to get the latest phone, ipod or other technology despite the fact that its hurting others, whether they are aware of it or not. Because of this, a new way to recycle electronics really needs to be discovered.
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8. Igor Ponomarev Says:
April 20th, 2010 at 3:47 pmPersonally, recycling has never been an issue with me. Not that I want to see the Earth go to waste, I just had that selfish “if I don’t do it, I’m sure millions of others will make up for it” attitude. Now knowing about places like this, I still doubt I would change my ways. But hey, that’s just me.
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9. Derek G. Says:
April 20th, 2010 at 7:19 pmIt’s a shame to see that waste just compiles itself in such places like this. Soon enough all this waste is going to catch up with us if we do not recycle problem…As for now though, i dont think people are going to change until it effects them personally
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10. SMullin Says:
April 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pmI am a big supporter of recycling and it always irks me when others don’t recycle just because they are lazy. Although it is different when the recycling contains toxic waste like this video rather than just plastic bottles, it is so important for people to recycle. Everyone should dispose of their electronics properly because in the end we are just hurting ourselves, our future families, and our world.
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11. Tracey S Says:
April 21st, 2010 at 9:48 pmI was completely shocked by this video. I do recycle but I never thought about recycling big objects like these and what happens to them. After seeing this video, I am appalled at the living conditions these people have to endure because of our disposal of toxic materials. I’m glad 60 Minutes did this video and also caught how the company was breaking the law.
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12. Aziz Says:
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:47 pmIt is truly a shame that where we benefit greatly through technology, others that are less fortunate in third world countries are being affected negatively. As selfish as it may sound, im sure that most Americans would not give it too much thought and will do anything to better themselves.
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13. Samantha C Says:
April 22nd, 2010 at 4:47 pmI am a big supporter of recycling, but I didn’t realize how much waste there actually is in regards to technology. I think it is upsetting that businesses tell people they are doing good by recycling their technology, but then it is causing harm anyway. We are lucky to have access to the technology that we do and people waste it without thinking. The fact that it causes harm to the environment while technology is being produced and then also after is upsetting. I would like to see people change their ways, but now that we are accustomed to a way of life with technology, people probably won’t change.
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14. Cara P. Says:
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:56 pmI was unfamiliar with what went on with disposing technological gadgets in poor countries. I enjoy having computers and cell phones and buying new ones when they get old, but this video makes me consider if its worth buying a new item if its causing harm to others. I feel something should definitely be done about the harm its causing. The video is further proof of how although a technology driven society has many benefits, there is a lot of negative harm that can result.
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15. Franchesca B. Says:
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 pmIts alarming how much we take our material objects for granted. We are very careless and do not think much about all our commodities with technology and the many options we get to choose from. We are not informed enough on what happens behind the cellphone we just bought or that computer we just threw away. It is quite sad that although these negative effects do not directly reach us, they harm others who probably had nothing to do with it.
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16. Arthmor C Says:
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:58 amThe millions of computers monitors, cell phones, and other electronic devices that are dumped in America are thought to be recycled safely but are being sent overseas to Japan and harming their people is horrifying. All of the led and different chemicals that are used to create the electrical devices were being dismantled by Japanese workers who were getting paid 8 dollars a day. So to keep the technological trash out of other countries the U.S. should keep better tabs on their shipping’s and make sure they go to the right place.
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17. Sean Safari Says:
September 15th, 2011 at 1:12 pmIt is shocking to see American companies resort to such underhand business methods instead of trying to get rid of their waste using legitimate means. I was rather disgusted seeing the CEO of Executive recycling lie straight to our face about his practices when he was obviously aware as to what was transpiring.
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18. Dalton Fowler Says:
September 15th, 2011 at 2:16 pmThis was actually really an interesting video, and a shocking one. its hard to stomach because as a kids we are always told to recycle and it is constantly beaten into our heads that electronics and such should be deposited into those collection boxes so that they can be properly disposed of. Clearly, i will now make certain that whatever it is i am trying to throw out is going to be disposed of properly, and illegally.
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19. James M. Says:
September 16th, 2011 at 1:18 amThe digital world is changing every day. As we move more into a high paced world, technology is moving fasters into our daily lives. It up to us as consumers to know how to properly dispose of our outdated electronic properly.
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