Overview
As we upgrade to new cell phones, computers and TVs, these upgrades result in obsolete waste which in turn downgrades the Earth’s environment. Most electronic devices are made with parts that can not be used again and current recycling methods are costly and inefficient. People, instead of disposing electronic devices properly, just throw them out without thinking of where they can end up.
Goals
Our goal in creating this website was to raise awareness in young adults about the growing dangers of electronic waste. We wanted youths to wake up to the growing threat to public health that E-waste is creating for future generations. We sought to challenge youth to become more active in supporting safe and ethical electronic waste recycling in their communities, schools and even homes. Also, we hope that youth will wield its enormous purchasing power to choose electronics from earth conscious corporations.
Story Behind High Tech Toxic
We chose this topic because we live in the middle of what is known as the Silicon Valley. Many electronic manufacturers and corporations are located in close proximity to our community. In the United States, California has some of the toughest laws on disposing and recycling electronics. These laws and policies are not yet reflected in the rest of the country. After researching this topic we have become more aware of how personal choices affect the entire world. We are also more conscious on how we dispose of our electronics and other electronic related devices.
Collaboration
Our whole team assisted with researching this website. When someone was stuck we helped each other to find what we needed. We each shared our different Photoshop and Dreamweaver techniques from one another. Our team learned that we have to work outside of our multimedia class in order to finish this project. We spent hours on the weekends building the website. Half of our team was working on building and other half was working on content.
We faced a number of challenges in creating this site. During our school breaks, some of our team members traveled directly into the community. These members interviewed organizations that are attempting to reverse the danger of e-waste, like SVTC and GreenCitizen We also wanted to gain first hand knowledge about the difficult process of attempting to take apart an obsolete machine. One day two of our team members took apart an old Mac in two days. We wanted to experience first hand the process of taking apart a computer. The process of disassembling a computer is harder than we expected. Most of Anthony and Omar’s time was spent taking off the plastic exterior. In the process; parts were broken because they did not know where most of the screws were.
To find out more about each team member.
Global Perspective
Electronic waste is a global issue because it affects everyone. E-waste can harm the human health and the environment. E-waste is filling up landfills and is being exported from large countries such as the United States and Europe. In addition, the United States has of yet ratified the UN’s Basel Agreement. We as global citizens should be pushing our own communities too toward a “greener solution.”
Two of our team members were born in Mexico and moved to the United States when they were young. Currently there are companies that send their electronics to Mexico in order to have people to disassemble the products. After this project, we realized that our electronic choices can affect people all over the planet. In addition, we learned that improper disposals of these products can poison the air and water’s use.
Thanks
We would like to thank Jenny Jax, Anne Carpenter, Adriane Madden, Sarah Walter, Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition, Basel Action Network, Ryan is Hungry, Green Citizen, and Greenpeace.
