The essence is that the same people who have brought you notebook computers that can download a novel in two minutes or cellphones that can locate the nearest French restaurant could certainly do a better job designing products that a) use safer materials and b) can be upgraded rather than thrown away.So we citizens are being asked to force corporations to do the right thing, the thing which cuts into their profits which is why they exist. No mention is made of the system which places the private accumulation of wealth as its highest priority. Citizens who are facing unemployment, often foreclosures on their homes, cutbacks in education and all public services are also being asked to take up another struggle to keep the overpowering juggernaut of capitalist enterprises from destroying their health and environment. WHY NOT TARGET THE SYSTEM?
Also, check this out:
Lessons Learned on an E-Waste Odyssey from the NY Times.
...you have to be pretty motivated to recycle e-waste. You have to be willing to drive the stuff somewhere -– often at a designated hour -– or to pay someone to take it away, for starters. ...But, like many of you, there is a limit to the effort and money I am able to devote to throwing stuff away.
