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High Tech Trash
Posted by: Steve Smith
Technology is changing the way we do, well, everything. The tech industry is the place from where innovation and ingenuity come, and where solutions to one of the most rapidly growing environmental problems can come as well. New York City recently passed a cutting-edge law to get companies and consumers to work together to keep toxic high-tech trash and chemicals, "e-waste," from polluting our landfills and getting into our water and air. Even the U.S. Congress is now racking its brains to come up with solutions. With huge conversions about to take place as we move to the next generation of televisions, computers, cell phones and ditch the old to make way for the new, tech companies will hopefully be able to revolutionize electronics recycling and make it cost-effective, and communicate it effectively- only 15% of discarded electronics products make it to the proper recycling facilities. Do you know where your old computer or cell phone will end up?
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Hi Steve! I see a new bill proposing a 20% tax credit has been introduced in the states which might go some way to help drive the manufacturers into incorporate more repurposing potential into their designs http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-5659
Have a nice day!
What if products were designed so that all waste could be reused as either biological or 'technical' nutrients? What if there was a law that forced companies to invest sufficient resources into Research and Development to make cradle-to-cradle a reality?Great article in Vanity Fair's 'Green Issue' with Cradle-to-Cradle co-innovator William McDonough: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/05/mcdonough200805