If you are going to map this blog to take my insights for a thesis, article, or term paper you are writing, I'd be glad to help though I don't have that much time to insert links below. Let me know whether I've forgotten any. Because I might be finished.
These ten themes have valuable lessons outside of e-waste policy. They are examples of examining an electronics recycling problem, and finding a universal that will lead to more environmental justice (and less environmental malpractice) in other trade policies.
1) Mining a ton of material always pollutes more than getting the same ton by recycling.
The hand-wringing about "perverse consequences" of recycling can lead to improvements in the recycling process. But any "gotcha" or "dirty little secret" stories need to face up to situations like copper mining at the OK Tedi Papua New Guinea, the lead mining at Kabwe, the 14/15 largest USA Superfund sites, etc. If you dispose of X out of concern over it's recycling process, and the same quantity you disposed of has to be mined from a rain forest, don't pat yourself on the back.
2) Elective Upgrade Decisions are Relative, Tied to Value Added
The second-hand market allows a chain of affordable use. When a rich person chooses to upgrade to a new device, the environmental costs of production (like mining) remain embodied in the old device, which is now affordable to someone who could not have afforded a new device.
This creates a "critical mass of users" in emerging markets necessary to support investment in cell phone towers, internet cable, satellites, TV stations, etc. You can't raise enough taxes to repave a road if none of your citizens owns/affords a car. Don't feel guilty about getting something new - so long as your used good gets reused.
More below
These ten themes have valuable lessons outside of e-waste policy. They are examples of examining an electronics recycling problem, and finding a universal that will lead to more environmental justice (and less environmental malpractice) in other trade policies.
1) Mining a ton of material always pollutes more than getting the same ton by recycling.
2) Elective Upgrade Decisions are Relative, Tied to Value Added
This creates a "critical mass of users" in emerging markets necessary to support investment in cell phone towers, internet cable, satellites, TV stations, etc. You can't raise enough taxes to repave a road if none of your citizens owns/affords a car. Don't feel guilty about getting something new - so long as your used good gets reused.
More below
