e-waste Archives - Center for Environmental Health

Why Your Singing Valentine’s Day Card is Illegal to Throw Away in California

Feb 2, 2012Ali Geering-KlineChildren's Health, Laws & Regulations, Tips

We’ve all seen the rows and rows of “singing” cards at the drug store—cards that play songs, cards that coo something sweet or funny when you open them. They’re cute to give to your Valentine or a loved one on a special holiday, but that electronic magic embedded in...

Avoid Greenwashed Holiday Items: Go Simple with Our Last Minute (Truly) Green Gift Guide

Dec 21, 2011Ali Geering-KlineChildren's Health, Tips

If your holiday shopping list still looks dauntingly long, and you’re sick of clicking through all those holiday guides, take our advice: Go simple. Going green is often about simplifying, not consuming more. It’s about getting rid of the crap we accumulate in a...

Where Old Phone Cords Go?

Sep 28, 2011Ali Geering-KlineGeneral Insights

“Out with the old, in with the new” is certainly a phrase that can be used to describe the electronics industry–the new iPad, the updated Android–the list of coveted new products goes on forever. With that constant flow of new products to...

Hey Feds: No Exporting Toxic E-Waste!

Jul 28, 2011Ali Geering-KlineEnvironmental Justice, Laws & Regulations

When Obama’s Electronics Task Force finally issued its Electronics Stewardship report, they failed to include an essential part: a ban on exports of toxic e-waste. Urge President Obama to amend the policy developed by his task force and to clearly state that no...

Foxconn: Workers in Chinese iPad Factories May Not Commit Suicide

May 16, 2011Ali Geering-KlineEnvironmental Justice, General Insights

We’ve alerted you before about issues of e-waste, and electronics workers developing cancer and other illnesses from exposure to the toxic chemicals that go into our phones, laptops, and other electronics. But these aren’t the only issues surrounding electronics...

Hey Feds: Manage Your Toxic E-Waste Responsibly!

Mar 11, 2011Charlie PizarroEnvironmental Justice, Laws & Regulations

The federal government is one of the largest purchasers of electronics in the United States. That means that every day our government generates untold tons of highly toxic, electronic waste. So here’s the $64,000 public health question: are our government agencies...

A Global Graveyard for Toxic Electronics

Aug 17, 2010Ali Geering-KlineEnvironmental Justice

Do you know what happens to your computer once you throw it out? Old electronics are dumped in “digital graveyards” in countries around the world, like China and Ghana, where all of their toxic insides are purged out into massive waste yards, polluting the land and...

For Health Care, Purchasing Safer Electronics Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry

May 17, 2010Charles MargulisEnvironmental Justice, General Insights, Laws & Regulations

Most of us use multiple kinds of electronic devices on a daily basis, and many of us scarf up the newest gadgets even before the old one’s warranty runs out (which as you know, doesn’t take very long to do!). But most of us rarely think about the health consequences...