TEN “RE” ACTIONS re RESPONSIBLE USE OF ELECTRONICS by Suzanne Lind
(Suzanne is on the left in this photo with the director of the ECC Sewing Project in Kinshasa, DR Congo.)
You have all heard me talk about my concern for the
suffering caused by “blood minerals” in eastern Congo --
particularly those needed for the production of electronic equipment
like cellphones, computers, games. The fact that the supply of those minerals
is limited has become general knowledge much more quickly than our realization
that fossil fuels and water are also in increasingly short supply.
The current series we are delving into in church is
helping all of us to see the broader and deeper picture that all our
environmental, political and social campaigns are part of -- and
to be more and more aware of the complexity of these developments/crises, and
of the seeming impossibility of doing anything about it. We’re learning to put some theological
muscle into our search for why and how to respond. We’ve known for many years that we have to
choose our issues carefully in order to stay sane and live as responsible
people in the lives we’re part of. Most
of us try to respond to opportunities to care for creation and participate
actively in the return-reuse-recycle systems and habits that have developed in
the past couple decades.
What we are hearing in the past few weeks here in church
is that we may need to dig a bit deeper into our attitudes and behaviors. The Transition movement is challenging us,
perhaps, to make bigger changes in our lifestyles than we really want to, for
the broader good of humanity. We are recognizing
that ”the development of human greed [is] based on an increasingly entrenched
idea that consumption is the only way to happiness and success, and should not
be restricted in any way -- if
one can afford it --“ Capitalism has run rampant and it is causing
too much damage. How can we curb this
addiction? And soon?
I am thinking now about the used or outdated equipment in
our house which we or our children have stacked on shelves. We got it, I guess, because something better
came along, or else it wasn’t designed to last a long time. But it is not biodegradable and it is full of
those precious minerals which greedy people buy without concern for how it was
mined and for the poor people who suffer in the process; minerals which will
eventually run out, creating more conflict and violent greediness in a world in
which almost everyone in the “developed world” is addicted to more and better
technological equipment.
In order not to go mad, I list for myself the “what can I
do’s”:
· REDUCE -- use
less
· REUSE -- use
longer
·
RECYCLE --
lots of opportunities in our communities (more notes below)
·
Recycling
one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year.
·
For
every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33
pounds of palladium can be recovered.
·
http://www2.epa.gov/learn-issues US Environmental Protection Agency : recycling
· REFUSE --
just say no. Decide deliberately
that neither you nor your children really “need” the next version of every
device you own.
· RECONSIDER –
what kind of a life do I really want?
How can I, in some small, consistent way, protect our world from death
and myself from being a greedy, self-centered consumer? How can I model this for my children and
grandchildren, friends and neighbors, without alienating everyone so much that
they can’t learn from the example?
· REFLECT AND RECOGNIZE -- We have inherited tendencies from a long line
of inquisitive, invasive, ingenious, insensitive people. We are part of a self-centered culture, even
though we are very nice people. We do
not deserve any more of the earth’s blessings than anyone else, no matter how
hard we have worked, and we are using more than our share.
· REPENT -- AND REJOICE in supportive friendships, let the Spirit RE-IGNITE your enthusiasm and determination!
MORE RESOURCES RE ELECTRONICS AND RECYCLING
Online Cellphone Recycling
Programs :
- Phones 4 Freedom - Donate your cellphone to help fight against human trafficking. Phones 4 Freedom refurbishes and recycles phones to help anti-trafficking organizations around the world. Free shipping available.
·
In the
developing world, a lack of regular channels to information and resources
prevents city-based anti-trafficking advocates from providing adequate
resources to rural and at-risk communities. As advocates travel from cities to
do outreach education to isolated/vulnerable regions, they are often remain
disconnected from those who are in critical need of regular communication. The
mission of Freedom Connect’s Freedom SMS Project is to advance anti-trafficking networks in
underserved communities using innovative mobile technology. Helpline SMS
Networks consist of: NGOs, legal advocates, social service providers, law
enforcement, and other key stake holders who act as first responders in a
trafficking case. The Helpline SMS Network is able to use this mobile network
to regularly stay in touch with rural communities vulnerable to human
trafficking, provide regular updates and information at a low cost, and respond
to emergencies and prevent trafficking. We’re using Frontline SMS, a free
open-source platform that enables large-scale, two-way text messaging using
only a laptop, GSM modem and inexpensive cell phones. By using this technique,
we are preventing slavery and human trafficking one text at a time!
·
By Donating to
Phones4Freedom, Freedom Connect will earn “points” or “credits” to purchase the
appropriate mobile equipment for Freedom SMS anti-trafficking networks. The
average donated phone in the US will allow us to purchase 2-3 phones. You can
also donate old digital cameras and mp3 players. No chargers or plugs required.
Send in your phone today!
Here’s how you can donate:
- Print out a Shipping Label (btw postage is on us!) Print out labels for multiple packages. If you’re donating from Canada, please send your donation with Fedex (Account #183021400 to: CloverWireless, 794 Industrial Court, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, Attn: Phones4Freedom Enterprise Program code: SCONNECT
- Deactivate your phone and leave the batteries in. Also, clear your personal data. To learn more visit this site. Include the charger if you have it, but it’s not necessary!
- Put the phones in a padded envelope or box (and wrap securely), paste the prepaid shipping label and drop it off at any US Post Office Box.
- And there you have it! You can get further involved with Phones4Freedom by telling your friends, family, colleagues and classmates. Print out Flyer and shipping labels for them, and pass on our information.
Are you a Group/Business/School/Place
of Worship interested in starting a Phones4Freedom Drive? Read our SMS Freedom Fundraising Kit, email us at hello@phones4freedom.org or contact
us here for more information.
- RBRC "Call2Recycle" - Free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in North America.
Home
Depot, Three Rivers. -- Nottawa Lumber Do it Best, Sturgis --
Best Buy, Westnedge, Portage
- wirelessrecycling.com - find a cell phone donation box closest to you.
- RecyclePhones.org - will plant a tree for each used cell phone that it receives. Simply use the prepaid shipping label to ship your used cell phone for free recycling.
Manufacturer Take Back
Programs:
AT&T
:
- View a list of AT&T Store locations to find your nearest cell phone donation drop-off spot. Or mail in your used phone with free shipping from anywhere in the U.S. To download a postage-paid shipping label, click here.
- Cellphones for Soldiers uses funds from recycled cell phones to buy prepaid phone cards for active duty military members – to help connect them with their families.
LG
Mobile Phones Recycle Program - mail in your used phone with
free shipping from anywhere in the U.S with postage-paid shipping label.
Motorola: Mail-in any cell phones, PDAs
and accessories for free by printing postage paid labels.
Nokia: Mail-in your unwanted phone by
printing a prepaid shipping label and sending it in for free
recycling.
•
Nokia Trade-Up Program - get cash back for your old
phone when you buy a new Nokia device.
Palm:
Mail-in mobile phones,
handhelds and accessories such as chargers and headsets free of charge. Download the postage
paid mailing label.
Samsung: Mail-in any cell phone and
accessories. Simply box up your old phone and accessories, print off the pre-paid
mailing label
and mail in the phone for recycling.
Sony
Ericsson: Mail in old cell phone
devices (any make or model) for free with postage paid mailing
label.
Sprint:
Sprint provides two
cell phone recycling programs for consumers:
- The Sprint Buyback program offers Sprint customers an account credit for returning eligible Sprint and Nextel models.
- If it is not eligible for credit, you may recycle your phone, batteries, accessories and data card through the Sprint Project Connect program. All makes and models are accepted, regardless of carrier or condition.
- Use the store locator to find a participating store near you. It accepts wireless phones, batteries, accessories and connection cards for recycling — regardless of make, model, condition, or service provider free of charge.
T-Mobile: Consumers can drop off
cellphones at any T-Mobile retail store or mail in any mobile devise
and accessories by boxing them up and printing off the pre-paid mailing label. Postage paid recycling bags
are included with all purchases. Customers can also pick up a recycling envelope
at any T-Mobile store.
Verizon
Wireless HopeLine program
collects no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any
wireless service provider at Verizon Wireless Retail Stores nationwide. The phones get
reburbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished
phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims, and
provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence
shelters and prevention programs across the country. You can also donate
wireless phones and equipment by mail using the pre-paid mailing label.
Retail Take-Back:
- Staples: Drop-off cell phones, PDAs, chargers, other handheld electronics, and ink and toner cartridges for free recycling. Click here for Staples store locations nearest you.
- Office Depot: Drop-off any used cell phone, PDA, batteries and accessory at any store free of charge. Click here for Office Depot store locations nearest you.
- Best Buy - Drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and ink-jet cartridges at no cost at their drop off kiosk. Click here for Best Buy store locations nearest you.
- Lowe's - Drop off rechargeable batteries, cell phones, CFLs and plastic shopping bags for free. Click here for Lowe's store location near you.
-
ELECTRONICS AND
RELATING TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
For more than a century, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
has been plagued by regional conflict and a deadly scramble for its vast
natural resources. In fact, greed for Congo’s natural resources has been a
principal driver of atrocities and conflict throughout Congo’s tortured
history. In eastern Congo today, these mineral resources are financing multiple
armed groups, many of whom use mass rape as a deliberate strategy to intimidate
and control local populations, thereby securing control of mines, trading
routes, and other strategic areas.
Conflict Minerals in Your Electronics
Profit from the mineral trade is one of the main motives
for armed groups on all sides of the conflict in eastern Congo - the deadliest
since World War II. Armed groups earn hundreds of millions of dollars per year
by trading four main minerals: the ores that produce tin, tantalum, tungsten,
and gold. This money enables the militias to purchase large numbers of weapons
and continue their campaign of brutal violence against civilians, with some of
the worst abuses occurring in mining areas. The majority of these minerals
eventually wind up in electronic devices such as cell phones, portable music
players, and computers. Given the lack of a transparent minerals supply chain,
American consumers have no way to ensure that their purchases are not financing
armed groups that regularly commit atrocities, including mass rape.
You Can Help End the War
The conflict minerals problem is complicated, and the
suffering in Congo is immense. But there is good news: because we as
electronics consumers are tied so directly to the problem, we can actually play
a role in ending the violence.
We must raise our collective voice as consumers and
demand conflict-free electronics. By pressuring electronics companies to remove
conflict minerals from their supply chains, we can help remove fuel from the
fire in Congo.
Help end war in Congo. Visit the TAKE ACTION CONGO
website to add your voice to the
movement
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