CRT Recycling

Mike from Maleny, CRTs ARE able to be recycled in Australia, see http://www.crtrecycling.com.au (easy to find Googling CRT and recycling), same company that established www.ecyclerecovery.com.au Even with laws and regulations, this stuff will follow the path of least economic resistance - and the first commenter was correct in that it is legal to export working equipment, however the receiving countries are far less equipped than we are to manage equipment when it does die.

Christmas Island's E-waste... where will it go?

Currently hundreds of TV's, microwaves, washing machines and electrical goods are sitting out the back of the Christmas Island Detention Centre. Considering the centre has only been open for 3 yrs this seems an incredibly short life span for these items. It is disgusting that our government (and we as individuals) enable and create such waste. Our consumption patterns must change. Hopefully this waste will be dealt with properly and not shipped o/s or dumped upon the Christmas Island ecosystem.

The Horrible Side Of Accra

I have been to Ghana many times, spent a total of about one year there, and going there from Dec-Feb. This does not surprise me at all. That is the Korle Lagoon in western Accra, one of the most polluted lagoons in Africa. Surprisingly the Ghana gov't had cleaned up the south/south-eastern edge of the KL near the lighthouse & Jamestown Fort/Prison, and near the start of the Ring Road when I was there last from previous visit. This is very much the ugly side of Accra, other parts are ok.

simple to make sense

Let's be frank: if you own or owned something that's your responsibility to dump it properly through correct means. This is rule for people and countries. People and countries must take care of the belongs.

Why?

I'm doing a school project when i came across this, I have to say, i am ashamed to say i'm australian. i have heard many things about the e-waste, but this clip by Giovana Vitola is so terribly, saddening. As said in the clip, why the e-waste leaving Australia? And why isn't the Australian government doing more to stop it?

Commonsense please!

I will reiterate my earlier statement. This e-Waste is exactly that. It is far from being toxic except when FOOLS burn it. Has Australia urged this country to burn this waste? Its a pity that the Ghanians cannot read the book , "Guns, Steel and Germs" by Jared Diamond. They will then know why they are, who they are, and where they are stuck in the time warp. Grow up people and learn. India is an econominc power? Not really, but they sure know how to recycle to their economic advantage.

ABS data costs

Mark commented upon the cost of procurement of data from the ABS. Shouldn't this data be freely available or for a nominal change? Excellent program on the hidden ugliness of the short lives of most electrical and electronic products. A follow up program could look at the massive consumption of the these devices around the world and their short lifespans.

Brian

I was intrigued by Senator Farell"s claim that 16 shipments were returned to Australia at the cost of the illegal exporter. Funny there were no prosecutions. But wait there is more. Senator Farell failed to mention who detected the shipment. A well funded environment departement comfortably inspecting their belly buttons in Canberra or a poor and desperate 3rd world country trying to safeguard its citizens? Shame Senator Farell - shame, shame, shame!