The Story of Electronics – electronic waste
What do you do when you have an electronic product which no longer works or needs to be fixed? Computer, TV or DVD player? If something costs cheaper to buy than fix, I’m assuming most people would most likely to want to buy a new one. The time taken to fix a product such as a computer may also affect the work you’re doing. Time is always valuable! So, when it comes to disposing of old electronics, what do you do?
The famous Rien Dijkstra 
from the Netherlands (one of the authors of the book ‘Greening IT - How Greener IT can form a solid foundation for a low carbon society’), once again sent me some useful information on electronic waste to share. Rien is a very, very helpful person, who has no other motive but to help raise the awareness and importance of Green IT! The 8 minute-ish youtube link below ‘The Story of Electronics’ is presented by Annie Leonard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHyH7mSYKQQ
For me, watching this video is useful more so for education purposes and having a better understanding of e-waste. Sometimes you can learn a lot more from watching a video. Annie explains the whole life-cycle of material goods and she mentions some of the toxic chemicals, such as lead and mercury, which are in electronic products. When a product is being recycled, it also shows how people want to keep the valuable metals inside, but are once again exposed to the toxic chemicals. Toxic in – Toxic out. Annie also points the ideal solution – it is better for manufacturers to design long lasting toxic free products. And there are a few who are doing so! So next time you are looking to buy a computer, you can buy a greener product.
I hope this video will help raise the awareness of Green IT and e-waste.
DATE: 19/11/2010
Tripta Prashar
