The toxic side of the computer age.

November 21, 2006

We talk with ELIZABETH GROSSMAN an environmental journalist whose new book is "High Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxics, and Human Health." Grossman says, as Americans become more computer savvy, there's a profound misunderstanding by the public that computer makers are inherently environmentally friendly. Her book traces the toxic waste created in producing computers and the eventual problem of where to throw old ones away.

http://www.whyy.org/rameta/RT/2006/RT20061121_20_2.ram 

Joy Cardin's guest says high tech electronics may be sleek, but their disposal is anything but clean. Waste electronics contribute two-thirds of heavy metals and forty-percent of lead found in landfills. Guest: Elizabeth Grossman, environmental journalist. Author, "High Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxics, and Human Health" (Island Press)

Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with environmental journalist Elizabeth Grossman, who dissects the retired technology we have lurking around our houses. From cell phones and PDAs to computers, monitors and printers, we’ll find out what’s in them and what to do with them.

April 18, 2006
High tech trash report (6:00)

Host Marco Werman speaks with Elizabeth Grossman, author of "High Tech Trash." The book examines the fate of toxic computer components and their effect on communities in the developing world.

June 29, 2006
Dell expands recycling program
Produced and hosted by Jon Gordon. 

Consumers wanting to ditch old printers, PCs or other electronics gear made by Dell Computer will soon be able to recycle them for free. Chairman Michael Dell announced the new policy yesterday.

Under Dell's previous policy consumers could only get free recycling of any brand of computer or printer if they bought a new Dell system. The new recycling policy, already available in Europe, is set to begin in the U.S. by September and the rest of the world by November.