E-Waste ending in toxic African dump to be torn apart by children

Discussion in 'Australia, NZ, Pacific' started by Bowerbird, Mar 10, 2017.

  1. Bowerbird

    Bowerbird Well-Known Member

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    Australian e-waste ending up in toxic African dump, torn apart by children
    RN
    By Rebecca Le Tourneau for Background Briefing


    A computer monitor from St George Bank, destined for recycling in Australia, has been found on a toxic e-waste dump in west Africa, being pulled apart by children as young as five.

    At Agbogbloshie dump, in Ghana's capital, Accra, children tear apart e-waste from Western nations with their hands, and burn circuit boards over open fires to melt out the precious metals.

    Broken or redundant computers are considered hazardous waste and are illegal to ship out of Australia — so the discovery of the bank monitor raises serious questions about the integrity and regulation of Australia's growing e-waste problem.

    St George Bank, wholly owned by Westpac, claims gold standard environmental stewardship.

    It says it followed the "right processes to ensure the St George Bank monitor was despatched" to their recycling partner.

    <<<<<<<<snip>>>>>>

    Broken or redundant computers are considered hazardous waste and are illegal to ship out of Australia — so the discovery of the bank monitor raises serious questions about the integrity and regulation of Australia's growing e-waste problem.

    <<<<<<<<<snip>>>>>>>>>

    Background Briefing is not asserting that Westpac or their recyclers sent the broken St George Bank monitor to Ghana, but its appearance at Agbogbloshie dump reveals a lack of oversight.

    Anane says the health problems suffered by the children exposed to e-waste are life-threatening.

    "Each time I go to the dump ... I see the children with all these open sores, I see them with skin diseases," he said.

    "They tell me, 'We cannot run, I have a problem with my heart, my heart beats faster, I cannot play football, I have headaches all the time.'

    "It's obvious that these children will not live to see their 20th birthday. A lot of the kids disappear from the dumps and it's obvious what happens to them."


    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-10/australian-e-waste-ending-up-in-toxic-african-dump/8339760

    I do not know what to think or do about this - I know that in many third world countries this is happening - that toxic materials are being dumped and desperate children are the ones who are "recycling" the hazardous material

    There are times when all I can really do is wish the world were a better place
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2017
  2. scarlet witch

    scarlet witch Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Well isn't that typical, they check the standards for the contractor but don't bother with subcontractors.

    very sad for the kids, I'm betting this is not just Australia, Africa is the perfect dumping ground for e-waste from the rest of the world, no accountability.
     
  3. Bowerbird

    Bowerbird Well-Known Member

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    It is not just Africa but China - I am still haunted by the pictures of young street kids in China burning e-waste and sniffing it to determine if it has the elements they wanted - the process was like mainlining glue - it rotted the brain
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2017
    scarlet witch likes this.

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