High Tech recycling may be a lucrative business, but with dangerous side effects...
According to the UK Environmental Agency, more than 20 000 tons of electronic waste have been sent illegally by Western countries to China, India, Pakistan and Africa in 2003. Exporting electronic waste to China or India costs a tenth of the price of recycling it in Europe or the US. On top of low labor costs, exporters benefit from no regulations on health and safety. A recent article in L'Express -a good occasion to practice your French ;-) - describes how Indian High Tech scavengers get sick by manipulating ultra-dangerous and cancerous chemicals: chrome, baryum, mercury, lead, cadmium, acids and toxic gas. Western countries are starting to regulate and organize the recycling of electronic products. The recycling itself is yet to be regulated and organized...
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