The Other Side Of India’s Tech Boom

16 07 2007
Source: Fortune magazine, July 23, 2007

Some useful information and how they can be used in essay:

  • In New Delhi alone, about 10 000 people, some young children, dismantle old computers and other equipment–know as e-waste, searching for gold, copper, paladium or anything to turn to cash. (poverty)
  • Recyclers expose themselves to toxic metals but it is a main source of income for them
  • E-waste recycling is a booming business in India
  • A study by Toxics Link, an advocacy group in New Delhi, found that metals from 183 defunct computers could yield as much as $24 000 (environment; recycling)
  • India currently produces 150 000 tons of e-waste a year and illegally imports at least that amount from the West. (impact of improving technology)
  • India currently has only 22 computers for every 1000 people but that number is projected to increase to 120 in the next five years (improvement in technology in LDCs)
  • European firms that have come to India with plans to start recycling canters are also put off by the lack of regulation, said Ravi Agarwal, the director of Toxics Link.
  • India has only 2 government-recognised e-waste recycling facilities, in Chennai and Bangalore. Together they recycle less than 1% of India’s total e-waste. (Environment)

by huiting