A future goal of our work is to focus on safe disposal of old computer systems. While it is laudable to keep old units out of landfills, we want to ensure that smelting or incineration of computer components does not create new environmental hazards. One concern is the burning of plastic. While HP's Roseville, Calif. recycling facility is impressive, we are concerned that shredded plastic from PCs is sometimes used as a "fuel substitute" for natural gas when shredded PCs are smelted at the Noranda's Canadian smelter. There are longstanding concerns associated with dioxin generation during combustion. HP agreed to provide environmental data to confirm that Noranda is in compliance with Canadian environmental rules but after waiting for two years we have not received the data. Apple's website states "mixed plastics are often used by metal and glass smelters as a fuel source for the glass and metal smelting process." The notion that plastics are a legitimate "fuel substitute" suggests greenwashing.

Another problem is the Doe Run Co. smelter which processes most of the lead from cathode ray tube monitors. It has been the subject of a decade of environmental controversy for polluting the town of Herculeneum, Mo. One quarter of the children under six in the town were found to have lead poisoning. More than 100 families were moved for a massive cleanup in 2002. Dell uses Doe Run for disposal of its monitors. It is important that the brand manufacturers ensure that their recycling and disposal vendors are at least in compliance with all federal and state standards.

After publication of the "Toxic Trashing of Asia" report by Basel Action Network a couple of years ago, the brands said they would forbid export of hazardous electronic waste. However, none have adequately demonstrated to us the development of a chain-of-custody or verification process to ensure that intact systems sold to third parties do not end up on a barge to China.

As You Sow has raised these safe disposal issues with the companies and intends to make them the focus of future efforts.

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