Following The Trail Of Toxic E-Waste

60 Minutes Follows America's Toxic Electronic Waste As It Is Illegally Shipped To Become China's Dirty Secret

(CBS)  This story was first published on Nov. 9, 2008. It was updated on Aug. 27, 2009.

60 Minutes is going to take you to one of the most toxic places on Earth -- a place that government officials and gangsters don't want you to see. It's a town in China where you can't breathe the air or drink the water, a town where the blood of the children is laced with lead. It's worth risking a visit because, as correspondent Scott Pelley first reported last November, much of the poison is coming out of the homes, schools and offices of America.

This is a story about recycling - about how your best intentions to be green can be channeled into an underground sewer that flows from the United States and into the wasteland.

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That wasteland is piled with the burning remains of some of the most expensive, sophisticated stuff that consumers crave. And 60 Minutes and correspondent Scott Pelley discovered that the gangs who run this place wanted to keep it a secret.

What are they hiding? The answer lies in the first law of the digital age: newer is better. In with the next thing, and out with the old TV, phone or computer. All of this becomes obsolete, electronic garbage called "e-waste."

Computers may seem like sleek, high-tech marvels. But what’s inside them?

"Lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, polyvinyl chlorides. All of these materials have known toxicological effects that range from brain damage to kidney disease to mutations, cancers," Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist and authority on waste management at the Natural Resources Defense Council, explained.

"The problem with e-waste is that it is the fastest-growing component of the municipal waste stream worldwide," he said.

Asked what he meant by "fastest-growing," Hershkowitz said. "Well, we throw out about 130,000 computers every day in the United States."

And he said over 100 million cell phones are thrown out annually.

At a recycling event in Denver, 60 Minutes found cars bumper-to-bumper for blocks, in a line that lasted for hours. They were there to drop off their computers, PDAs, TVs and other electronic waste.

Asked what he thought happens once his e-waste goes into recycling, one man told Pelley, "Well my assumption is they break it apart and take all the heavy metals and out and then try to recycle some of the stuff that's bad."

Most folks in line were hoping to do the right thing, expecting that their waste would be recycled in state-of-the-art facilities that exist here in America. But really, there's no way for them to know where all of this is going. The recycling industry is exploding and, as it turns out, some so-called recyclers are shipping the waste overseas, where it's broken down for the precious metals inside.

Executive Recycling, of Englewood, Colo., which ran the Denver event, promised the public on its Web site: "Your e-waste is recycled properly, right here in the U.S. - not simply dumped on somebody else."

That policy helped Brandon Richter, the CEO of Executive Recycling, win a contract with the city of Denver and expand operations into three western states.

Asked what the problem is with shipping this waste overseas, Richter told Pelley, "Well, you know, they've got low-income labor over there. So obviously they don't have all of the right materials, the safety equipment to handle some of this material."

Executive does recycling in-house, but 60 Minutes was curious about shipping containers that were leaving its Colorado yard. 60 Minutes found one container filled with monitors. They're especially hazardous because each picture tube, called a cathode ray tube or CRT, contains several pounds of lead. It's against U.S. law to ship them overseas without special permission. 60 Minutes took down the container's number and followed it to Tacoma, Wash., where it was loaded on a ship.

When the container left Tacoma, 60 Minutes followed it for 7,459 miles to Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong.

It turns out the container that started in Denver was just one of thousands of containers on an underground, often illegal smuggling route, taking America's electronic trash to the Far East.

Our guide to that route was Jim Puckett, founder of the Basel Action Network, a watchdog group named for the treaty that is supposed to stop rich countries from dumping toxic waste on poor ones. Puckett runs a program to certify ethical recyclers. And he showed 60 Minutes what's piling up in Hong Kong.

"It's literally acres of computer monitors," Pelley commented. "Is it legal to import all of these computer monitors into Hong Kong?"

"No way. It is absolutely illegal, both from the standpoint of Hong Kong law but also U.S. law and Chinese law. But it's happening," Puckett said.

[cupawprints]

What's funny about the lead in toys is that researchers have found that the lead likely comes from solder in circuit boards... circuit boards exported from the US. Haha, what goes around comes around.

[ejn33]

One of the easiest ways to help eliminate ewaste is recycling old cell phones. As Allen Hershkowitz said, about 100 million cell phones are simply thrown away each year. If all of these phones were recycled, in addition to keeping them out of landfills like these, the amount of energy conserved from eliminating the need to mine for more of the precious metals found in cellular phones would be the equivalent of that used to power 18,500 homes for a full year. If you visit http://haveurebooted.com/ and click "Reboot Now" you will find a pre-paid mailing label so you can recycle your old cell phones for free. HaveURebooted? is a subsidiary of the Materials Processing Corporation, an electronics recycling company based in Minnesota with a very has a strict "No Landfill" policy, which states that they will not landfill or permit to be landfilled any material which they process, generate or utilize within their operations.

[mypatch]

Everyone that is screaming leave them alone right now will be the first to scream when all this toxic waste reaches us. Just because the waste is 7000 miles away doesn't mean that it won't travel here. We have polluted the earth and atmosphere so bad we should all be ashamed. Those people deserve the same kind of treatment as we get. The Chinese don't care if they kill off the population since they have so many people. Good job CBS. Keep up the good work and keep us informed. We all need to know what a mess we made of this earth because of our whims and wants.

[stinger1z]

It's nice to always see the China has absolutely no concern for its citizens.

[mixer5]

Does anyone know who the other 42 companies were?

[babooph]

As the US sinks lower & lower,wasting its lifeblood on 2 losing wars,China will have the wealth& ship all this trash back &MORE!

[JErdmanCIH,CSP]

I hope you will do a sequel to this story. 60 Minutes could help solve the e-waste problem by reporting on the correct methods of recycling computers, the relevant regulations that govern this industry, and highlighting those companies that do act responsibly. Focusing on the worst, with no information on alternatives, leaves viewers frustrated and helpless. Furthermore, if there are no companies leading this effort, then you should enlist people like Bill Gates to spearhead change. You are missing an opportunity to empower the public to help in making the world a better place to live for all of us.

[Lewis07407]

Why are we blaming china, Bush or Obama.

Lets blame the corporation; they are who to blame. We need to put presure to the big corporation and let them follow the law.

BUSH OBAMA is not the CEO of the COMPANY. BUNCH OF IDIOTS

[Xoxiling]

While I appreciate this story, I'm sitting here wondering what happened to the rest of the story? What happened after the FBI investigated the illegal shipping of e-waste to third world nations?? Yes, Scott Pelle provided us with information, but the story is totally incomplete! He ends the piece with the FBI investigated Executive Recycling! Okay, what happened? That's what really matters, right? That companies like Executive Recycling get prosecuted and SHUT DOWN, for this illegal behavior. I think the organization, Basel Action Network, should get more publicity and more support in their heroic efforts to go after companies like Executive Recycling! Come on, Scott, bring us a "Part II" of this story and complete this section!

[sillynews]

China is FILLED with toxic waster issues. They don't care about their own people. This is something for them to solve, we are not responsible for China and their care of their own. IN fact, WE have suffered from doing business with them from lead paint in toys, poisoned pet food, etc. Doing business with a corrupt nation like China is wrong. China would like to own America and then what? Gimme a break- somebody should be a bleeding heart for America's future for a change.

[Xoxiling]

Are you kidding me? Who are you? What kind of insensitive person are you?? It IS the responsibility of the US to NOT dump our **** in the backyards of thrid world (or any) country!!! This is a HUMAN issue not a us or them issue! IT was AMERICAN companies dunping our toxic waste in OTHER countries....but you probably think thats OK

[Tisik88]

To bad that 60 minutes didn't talk about America's responsibility in this subject. It's the US that's boycotting BAN (the Basel Action Network), especially the waste export ban. And, ofcourse, it's the american ideal of capitalism that caused this problem in the first place, but that's a long time ago. Hopefully America has changed now, finally Bush is gone, how he got re-elected, I will never know, but it's his government that boycotted BAN. So I really hope Obama will make things CHANGE. I was excited that an american tv station aired this kind of report, but they really should recognize the american responsibility. You should really look it up: only 3 countries didnt sign the Basel convention, Afghanistan, Haiti, and.... the US!!!! The US really doesn't fit in here, or does it? If all the important countries would sign this convention, it would actually have an effect, but as long as the US doesn't sign it, the competitive advantage remains for the american companies, who don't have to spend as much money as their european rivals. And that's what it's all about in this global economy for the companies: money and profit. Because of this competitive advantage some european companies also trie to avoid responsible recycling.
So it's really up to the american citizens to criticise this, and hope that democracy works ( fast enough).

[furrybriangriffinfan]

There is a company in my area that does this and I want to know how to report them.

[cupawprints]

In all likelihood you probably cannot- it depends on what they're exporting. CRT monitors are the only electronics being regulated at this point. If a company wishes to export CRT monitors, they must notify the EPA and obtain written consent from the receiving country (a list of companies able to export CRT monitors is listed on EPA's website). If they do not obtain consent and still export the monitors (like the case of the company in this story), it is illegal and you can try contacting the EPA (though they have been extremely lax on enforcing their own policy). If the company is exporting any other electronics, it is totally legal by US law, in which case you may want to encourage the company to change its policies. You can also check out the Basel Action Network's website.

[lcampb0353]

Thank you for enlightening the public on this very important issue. I have taken the call to do more for others very seriously, since the election and have left the corporate world for the non-profit sector. I just joined the Per Scholas organization and they do a fantastic job of refurbishing what you are calling "e-waste" and putting it back into the hands of families and schools in need. We are the only IS0 14001 certified non-profit and we make sure that we operate in a way that is good for the environment. We partner with companies like, the Federal Reserve, JPMorgan Chase and Estee Lauder, who, like many companies, take the recycling of computer equipment seriously, are environmently conscience and care about their communities and children in need. We have a big story, go to www.perscholas.org.

Thank you.

Laura Campbell

[baselaction]

Dear Alan Stern:

Its somewhat amusing that you would seemingly fault a non-profit organization for receiving funds from industry leaders that, like us, wish to promote s ethics and responsibility in an out-of-control electronic waste marketplace.

There is nothing new under the sun about certification programs. Think Fair Trade Coffee, think Underwriter Laboratories, all of which collect licensing fees to administer and promote the programs that vastly improve our lives. Our licensing fees have yet to be set, but they will be based on a sliding scale to assure affordability for any size business. In addition, e-Stewards will pay independent certifiying bodies directly for extensive auditing on an annual basis to ensure compliance.

Our e-Steward recyclers currently take a loss in profit having to compete with the thousands of exporters out there. They are desirous to stop the bleeding, both financial and ethical. They have asked to be policed and are happy to have activists setting the bar as opposed to business associations or multi-stakeholder negotiations that are far too weak and will continue exports. Be assured that the e-Stewards Certification will be the most socially and environmentally responsible standard and will never allow exports of hazardous electronic waste from the United States or Canada to developing countries. We are very proud of this and in particular are proud that it is being financed in part by industry leaders.

Jim Puckett

[rizzo243]

This is ridiculous. All of these items can be recycled for precious metal recovery right here in the states.
I%u2019m a truck driver in New England, and I%u2019ve hauled many loads to high Tech, e-waste refineries.
I%u2019ve seen their operations and I know what they do %u2013 everything is recovered and sold back into the manufacturing process.

Unfortunately, they are not open for public collections and deal exclusively with other companies that do E-waste collection from corporations and public drives.

In New England, there is a company called, Go Green Recycling.
They have an excellent reputation and I%u2019ve seen their trucks at the refinery.
Here%u2019s their website: www.gogreenrecycling.net .
I think they only service the east coast, but there have to be other companies like them in different parts of the country.

[semievolved]

This can''t be placed solely on the American public''s desire for the latest and greatest. Americans were lining up to recycle their [nonfunctioning?] devices. We do it with the expectation that this material will be dealt with properly. Our government caught Englewood readhanded, which proves that enforcement is present. And Hong Kong customs did their work by returning the container. The true culprits here are Englewood and their partners-in-crime in China, including that Chinese mayor!

[danielsmom18]

This story was enormously disturbing. We were not given a green alternative about what to do with our old computers and TV sets. I am sure I am not the only one who wants this information. We have several small, old TVs that we have not put into the regular trash, because we were told we had to take them to a "special" recycling center. Now I am inclined to believe that this "special" center was established to profit from recycling. I am wondering if it would just be better to stash that trash in our regular refuse rather than let it be taken into the toxic recycling system.

60 Minutes: Please tell those of us who want to do the responsible and green thing how to handle disposal of our old electronic equipment.

The TV spot was disturbing enough, but the lack of advice for viewers about how to do the right thing and avoid contributing to this mess was even more disturbing.

[alan_stern]

Funny how Puckett disappears when the topic of how much money BAN will make from e-stewards comes up. Here''s the deal: it costs $1500 for the first three hours of certification, $110 per hour after the first three. But the real money comes into play AFTER certification has been bestowed. At that point, the e-steward company is expected to pay a percetage of annual revenue back to BAN for the use of the logo, and for marketing and promotion purposes. If you''re a big multinational like Dell or Intel, that could amount to some serious, serious money. In other words: BAN has some skin in the game here. Like any other money-making entity, their statements must be examined in light of their own self-interest.

Any comments yet, Puckett?

[aregood3]

Your story forgot to tell us where this stuff was made. Certainly not in the USA. Maybe the country that made it should be required to take it back and recycle it. Oh, maybe China is where most of it is made and we are just returning it.

[goodrumanna]

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I WILL POST THIS AND EVERYONE IS STILL SO CONCERNED WITH CHINA....WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN COUNTRY BUT I GUESS THE MESS WE MAKE NOW WILL BE CLEANED UP BY MY KIDS ALONG WITH YOURS AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN IS THIS WHAT WE WANT?? I KNOW I DON''T!!!!!
we are so worried about people making a deal and putting money in their pocket. Where it goes is really no ones concern maybe it is hurting the other place and maybe they don''''t care but on the other hand i am a contractor''''s wife and well mexico is hurting our country and i haven''''t heard one thing about that they come over hear under the radar make our money because they work cheaper get all the help as far as wellfare and everything. And working citizens can''''t get no help when we need it. Then after these mexicans get paid under the table and never pay taxes on that money they send it back to mexico and make it richer while we get poor......so why are we so worried about hurting anothers home when they don''''t worry about us lets start doing stories on this and help the working people out and getting out what other countries have taken from us........


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