So, I have been writing a string of environmental / hazardous articles lately mostly because I find a lot of useful information and I think it’d be great to pass it on.
[I'm stepping on my soap box right now]
Every time I try to do research regarding my article I end up finding a lot of other information that I think would make an interesting article. I guess it’s my attempt to make the world a better place.
Universal Waste
If you have gotten to this point of the article, you might be wondering what ‘universal waste‘ is all about. I’m sure you probably never heard of that term (because I had come across it on accident), but it’s a relatively new term that describes waste that need to be specially disposed of instead of throwing it into the garbage.
In the age of personal electronics there are a lot of chemicals and materials that go into your cell phone or iPod that is hazardous to the environment if it is thrown away. Every year when Steve Jobs unveils his new line of iPod, Apples oldest generation of iPods gets donated to a distant relative or thrown way (I really want to say recycle, but I’m being honest, we throw stuff away more often than we recycle).
But what are we suppose to do with the waste? We upgrade our electronic equipment so fast that I am sure there is an increased amount of universal waste heading to a landfill.
According to the Department of Public Works in Los Angeles “Batteries, light bulbs, electronic devices and items containing mercury: together, these things are known as Universal Waste. And since February, Californians are no longer allowed to just put them in the trash. That’s because chemicals from Universal Waste can eventually find their way into the environment, contaminating our air, our water, and even the food we eat.”
Even though there are processes that help filter out waste that can be recycled or ‘properly’ disposed of, citizens should do their part and find a near by recycling center that specifically disposes of waste. Imagine, if we all do our part in helping throw away our old television (or donate them to a local school), we could easily reduce pollution in our ground water, and possibly lower taxes by lower the need for people to filter through our waste.
Find a local recycling center that will help you dispose of your Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics (S.A.F.E.) we can all make the effort to clean up our planet.
[I'm stepping off my soap box]
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
i went to the mall the other day and there were these asian ppl that were asking for used electronics…maybe to take them apart so they could reuse the smaller bits and pieces. i dono, but i still have one of the first iPods — i think it’s the iPod mini? which isn’t really a mini since it’s still pretty big compared to the nano or whatever that one that clips to your clothing is called. anyway, i’m not much of an electronics upgrader…i think it’s all for show like who has the coolest gadget. personally, i think it’s kind of like those ppl who drive around with personal license plates that read: “1st love” or “benz #2″ or “mr. rico.” who’re they trying to impress? or what’re they really trying to hide? or why are they actually trying to blow smoke up their own asses? it’s like that bigger sword, smaller the ______ saying. hahaha.
@cherbert, Thanks for your comment. The electronics industry’s main target is the new audience. Sure, there are a lot of people who want the latest and the greatest things, but a lot of companies try and focus on getting new users rather than making more money off of old users (because if they have a great product, existing customer will come back for more and upgrade exisiting/broken iPods).
Think of it this way. If Apple doesn’t continue to upgrade their products, other companies like SanDisk and Microsoft can release their new items and give the customer another choice. Choosing between a 2007 iPod, 2008 Zune, or 2009 SanDisk mp3 player, a new user would need to choose which is better. Do you get popular and old technology or new technology for the same price?
Companies need to keep “upping” the ante and stay competitive. Sadly, lots of people upgrade equipment because it’s simply better, but you can’t group everyone into that category.
you’re talking to someone who was raised by parents who just barely got the internet and who had to wait for college before she discovered cable tv. hahaha. i like my iPod mini. it’s peachy keen!!!
@cherbert, in most circumstances I think more people are like you. You just want to enjoy your music and you aren’t as enthusiastic about what so long as you get to hear your music with less fuss.
However, the people who are more enthusiastic about technology seem to make everyone who wants a new ‘iPod’ into ‘one of those people’.