Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
SVTC has developed a local and global profile for research and advocacy, publishing
a number of reports, videos and guides on pollution and environmental injustice
and how to combat them. Agyeman (2005) considers the coalition to be a clear
example of a 'just sustainability' organization and Ted Smith, SVTC's senior strategist
and co-editor of
Challenging the Chip
(Smith
et al
., 2006), argues forcefully that
the industry's extremely harmful effects can be avoided if the will and appropriate
schemes are in place. Computers quickly become obsolete, many 'old' models are
simply dumped in landfills or sent to the developing world, and new chemicals
incorporated into new machines have often been inadequately tested before use.
However, as a result of various campaigns like 'Computer Take Back', large companies
like Dell are taking back and recycling their products as well as offering free recycling
of some non-Dell computers to customers who purchase a Dell.
Box 4.2
Vision for sustainable communities in Silicon Valley
and around the globe
SVTC is located in Silicon Valley, the birthplace of the high-tech revolution and origin
of many electronics manufacturing facilities. High-tech workers and the communities
surrounding those facilities suffered from dramatic health problems from toxic
exposure. Those communities came together to hold the industry accountable,
create more stringent environmental protections, and move the EPA to create 29
priority Superfund sites, the highest concentration in the nation. Since then, the
industry has moved much of its manufacturing oversees where labor is cheaper and
environmental protections weaker. However, the industry still employs thousands of
service sector workers such as janitors, gardeners and cafeteria workers. These low
wage jobs are held primarily by immigrants and people of color, and because of low
pay they are often forced to live in polluted areas, in sub-standard housing, far from
grocery stores that sell fresh produce. SVTC works with people from those areas to
create more sustainable communities that have quality air, affordable housing and
access to health care and quality food.
As in Silicon Valley, similar stories have arisen from the far corners of the world
about the dangers of high-tech production and the dumping of e-waste. Rice patties
and groundwater supplies in China have been contaminated by high-tech manufac-
turing, endangering
community
food and water systems. E-waste has been sent to
places like India and Nigeria where it is burned or buried. Electronics manufacturing
and recycling workers often develop cancer, reproductive problems, miscarriages
and illnesses. And wherever the high-tech industry exists, it often leaves a wake of
unintended collateral damage. Unfortunately, it is often the most impoverished workers
and communities of color who are disproportionately affected. However, by working
together, communities around the globe have held the industry accountable to
consider public health and our environment, and shift towards greater sustainability
for high-tech communities.
Source: Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (
http://svtc.org/about-us/svtcs-mission-for-a-
