Guiyu, China -- This is where all our electronic waste is going back to, right where it came from. "The city of Guiyu is home to 5,500 businesses devoted to processing discarded electronics, known as e-waste. According to local websites, the region dismantles 1.5 million pounds of junked computers, cell phones and other devices a year. " (Time Magazine, January 2009).
Although rehashing electronic gadgetry is a thriving business in this part of China, it is also the reason why Giuyu has the highest level of cancer-causing dioxins in the world. In my opinion, it is okay to accumulate gadgets to satisfy a need, after all, technology upgrade is a must. But if it is just so we can keep up with Joneses, pulease!
Here's how we can help:
- Bring back old TV sets and components to Sony, Samsung & LG. They take them back for free.
- Sell your antiquated mobile phone to Greenphone.com.
- Donate old computers. Dell can recycle for you.
- Hold back on buying new gadgets too soon. My grandparents did not even have a microwave back in the days, but they survived just fine.
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