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Most Australians believe they’re helping the planet when they recycle their old computers, televisions and mobile handsets through nominated channels. But chances are they’re contributing to a global trade in electronic trash that endangers entire foreign districts and pollutes the environment overseas. The gear most likely to be shipped abroad is collected by free recycling specialists, recycling industry officials say. The donors - mainly companies, schools and the general public - often hire the lowest costing firms and do not question what becomes of the discarded equipment, the officials say. Many so-called recyclers simply sell all the working hardware and components, then give or sell the remaining scrap to export brokers. "There are a lot of recyclers getting away with exporting electronic waste," said a representative from Adelaide's EPA, the government's Environmental body. "People who dispose of their computer equipment really need to consider the recyclers they use." Recyclers dealing in this corrupt and unethical practise claim that they are exporting used equipment for reuse in poor countires. A large percentage has in the past been sent to China but the latest clamp-down has resulted in a large proportion being intercepted and returned to it's port of origin. Reuse is in effect the pretext to the export of our waste. Unfortunately, this has resulted in other counties facing this glut of exported used equipment under the pretense that it will be used again.
Article Source: http://www.articles4sites.com
Richard is Author of a website detailing computer disposal and recycling in Adelaide, Australia
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