Formal But Not Yet Safe
Apple products are poisoning workers who make them. This is well known, thanks to a long campaign by activists. Recently, Apple accepted this too and promised to remedy this….
Green Chemistry Regulations Made Simple
The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) has been involved in a process in California called the Green Chemistry Initiative; we have been working on it with other NGOs in the CHANGE Coalition (Californians for A Healthy and Green Economy). For me, the process has been challenging. Why? Because it seems only logical that corporations should not put …
Why is it So Easy to Buy Hazardous Products and So Hard to Get Rid of Them Responsibly?
Recently, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) was faced with these issues when we cleaned-out our office and had to dispose of a variety of items. We found that recycling e-waste was easy because SVTC is an informed resident and we are lucky to have a responsible e-waste recycler in Santa Clara County. But with the household products …
The Plight of Electronics Refurbishers in India
In 2009, SVTC traveled to India to work with Chintan, a group in Delhi working on the electronic waste (e-waste) issue. Together we produced the film, Citizens at Risk. In the following blog series we will be updating you on the progress of the work to work with informal recyclers to improve working conditions and …
Strengthening California’s Weak e-Waste Law
California is the home to electronic companies such as HP and Apple and also to one of the weakest e-waste recycling laws in the country. Why? Because California passed a “let the company ride free law” – meaning that we as consumers have to pay for the collection of e-waste instead of the company. That …
Let the Cat Out of the Bag!
Let the cat out of the bag! Don’t look now, but the chemical industry in California is trying to prevent you from purchasing products that could help save your cat or dog’s life! SB 147 (sponsored by Senator Mark Leno) simply wants to “require the Bureau of Home Furnishings to include an alternative flammability standard …
The Solar Company Surveys have been sent!
Last year the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition released our first Solar Scorecard ranking solar manufacturers on their commitment to the environment and other socially responsible issues. The scores for the companies were based on their responses to our survey. In preparation for our 2011 Solar Scorecard we just sent out the new Solar Company Survey …
Reflections on Solar Power International
I just spent a few days at the Solar Power International Conference in LA. And as the industry grows, so does this conference. Solar Companies from around the world were there to umm… shine (I couldn’t help it). As I went from booth to booth, speaking to solar companies about participating in our upcoming survey …
Federal e-waste bill will reveal true intentions of companies and politicians
Good news! HR 6252, The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act, was introduced yesterday! The purpose of the bill is to create a new section of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, that prohibits the export of “restricted electronic waste” from the U.S. to developing nations. However, in order to support reuse, the bill will allow …