E-waste Success for Senior Citizens
Chris Rodinis
November 27th 2012
http://retroworks.blogspot.com/
E-waste or electronic waste as a topic of discussion has been gaining traction in the news the past decade for obvious reasons. That is, we are in the midst of a continuing technology boom. In fact, there is reason to believe this boom is not going anywhere soon.
Even in a global recession millions of e-devices are sold annually. What happens at the end of life for an e-device has become an opportunity for some senior citizens in a part of Mexico overrun with poverty.
We all know the concerns of e-waste relating to secure data breaches and environmental dumping. Just as important is the worry of human beings handling the de-manufacturing process of e-waste.
Exporting E-waste Has Benefits
Currently some states such as California restrict export of e-waste in most cases which has inadvertently caused lost wages to the developing poor countries such as Mexico.
This post is about one story that has a positive ending and it could easily be titled “humanitarian refurbishment.” Let’s say that “HR” in this case is environmentally safe and an economic WIN for all.
Have you ever heard of “Las Chicas Bravas?” this from Spanish translates to “Brave Gals.” Brave Gals are older women that have been discriminated out of work. With the help of Retroworks de Mexico, they banded together to form a recycling collective where could they earn good wages in a safe and healthy environment.
Starting from E-scrap
Back in 2006 is when they started and considering the demographics and logistics of Mexico this could not have been that easy! The labor market there has a strong bias to NOT hiring women to say the least.
In true Cinderella fashion their first goal was to eliminate paying kickbacks or bribes to the usual gangsters and carpet-baggers. Once they found their stride they located an old carpet manufacturing facility in order to convert it to an electronic waste recycling facility.
Thus from the trash and debris of electronic waste more than a few stable environmental careers for senior citizens had begun. Just like the story of the Phoenix rising from the ashes to soar again!
Typical tasks for the women are the deconstruction of computers, desktops, servers, laptops, televisions, hard drives, switches, motherboards and all types of EOL electronics that are LEGALLY exported from the United States domestic market.
As the components are freed from their original configuration in the box, they are refurbished, tested and then remarketed to developing countries.
Another win is that developing countries receive working computers for schools and hospitals at a deep discount which is all they can afford.
A Continually Happy Ending
Here is a direct quote from www.techsoup.org which is where this post derived:
Today, their plant is fully operational with Wi-Fi internet, a modern air compression system and air-tools which provides a faster turnaround time between accepting virtually any electronic device with a plug and demanufacturing items for recycling. From televisions to hard-drives, they are able to quickly disassemble and report all of the items coming and going from the plant with ease.
Talk about a happy ending. These are the kind of E-waste stories I like writing about. On a political note, because of “bad actors” in the recycling world, exporting e-waste has become a “no-no.” That is a shame because hand de-construction is more environmentally sound than automated methods and yields a more useful return.
Eventually, the powers that be would have to realize this and once again allow exported e-waste for the benefit of all responsible recyclers. If you are looking for a responsible recycling company you are welcome to contact: