Ever wonder what happens to those old technologies once you leave them at an e-waste recycling location?

I know I did.

In August I was in the market for a new printer (I know, I know. Do I really need a printer?).  Trying to be a conscious consumer, I asked an employee of a large chain store (cough, cough, Best Buy, cough) what happened to the old electronics that enrolled in their e-waste recycling program. Her response was a bit disappointing:  ”Well, you know, that’s a good question.  Nobody has ever asked me that before, but I don’t think it goes to China.”

Image Courtesy of Time Magazine

Well, I hope so too.

In her defense, the store employee quickly found a manager, who provided me with a satisfying answer.  He explained that Best Buy was very selective in choosing recycling companies to do business with.  To view the standards that Best Buy’s recycling partners must adhere to, click here and scroll to the Consumer Electronics Recycling Standards link.

Best Buy seems to have its goals and practices of recycling e-waste in control, however this cannot be said of all companies. The topic of e-waste goes hand-in-hand with environmental justice, a topic which we have not yet discussed on here, but will soon.  Some e-waste recyclers have been sending the used technologies overseas to developing countries, where workers are being paid for too little to disassemble these hazardous products.

To learn the dirty secret of one electronic waste recycler, check out this article from Business Week.