60 Minutes Episode on Computer Parts Recycling in China

60 Minutes Reports: Poor Recycling Processes Lead to Pollution Disasters in China

The altruistic feeling of recycling may not always lead to good things as modern technology-intensive countries like the US follow the American mantra of "out with the old and in with the new." America exports some of the most toxic computer waste products in the world to poor rural communities in countries like China where these parts are broken down and melted in manners that are highly toxic to the low wage workers who inhabit these regions. Unlike the US, many importing countries of these outdated computer monitors, keyboards and CPU's have low recycling standards and fewer regulations needed to protect workers. Whole communities are exposed to toxic fumes and mercury and toxic compounds poison their rivers and streams making these regions some of the most polluted places on the planet. Even some recycling companies like Executive Recycling, mentioned in the 60 Minutes video below, claim they do not export junked computer products to China, while 60 Minutes uncovers may not actually be the case.

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In some cases, companies who do little research about the final resting place of the things they pick up from you may inevitably and inadvertently be feeding some of the most polluting fires in the world. Other companies will likely turn a blind eye for the fist full of dollars they collect in this increasingly lucrative trade. You can do you part as a consumer by being aware of such circumstances before donating your old computer products to any recycling company. Remember the problem is not only isolated to China as Chris Carroll of the National Geographic explains after visiting Ghana's recycling practices. People of these companies are attracted to the work recycling offers as the pay is often better than the more meager life they would live otherwise. But the money is a trap for them as these same people fall victim to disease, cancers and may lose their children to higher mortality rates. Stay educated in this trade by plugging into toxic waste watchdog organizations like Basel Action Network or BAN for short.