|
Ted should weigh in too, if he is able to,
but the Computer TakeBack Campaign platform opposes
prison labor because we want the infrastructure for electronics recycling to
promote local economic development – one of the historic benefits of
recycling. In the same vein, though we want brand owners and manufacturers to
take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products, we’d
prefer that the Dells and Compaqs of the world not
control some centralized infrastructure but rather use their largesse to
promote a more decentralized infrastructure with attendant local economic
development benefits. Additionally – and I speak only for
myself here – moving industrial operations to America’s prison
system legitimates the backwards policies of “three-strikes” and “mandatory
minimum sentencing” because we can then give “those people”
jobs. Why not keep out of prison in work programs many of those whose crimes
may not warrant incarceration, providing them job training in local economic
development opportunities that are sustainably
recycling our tidal wave of high tech trash (probably at lower labor costs, if
they are trainees in a criminal justice program)? David Wood -----Original Message----- Hi Ted, I read the article about the
new computer recycling facility at the Federal prison, and checked out the
UNICOR web site as well. While
admittedly short on statistical data, I assume since the project is not yet
operational, the premise seems reasonable.
I agree we need guidelines
for sustainable recycling practices (and decorative clocks will probably not be
high on that list), but labor costs are one of the biggest drawbacks to
disassembly and sorting of electronics, right? And prison labor … (pausing to
collect thoughts) may be the best solution to that particular economic problem. UNICOR provides a lot of support to the
Federal government and as far as I know their products and services are
competitively priced and of reasonable quality. The government is obligated to use the
services of disabled persons as well as prison labor, which helps keep costs
down (and etc.). Which aspect of the project
did you find alarming? Is there
more information available than that one rather short article? Other comments or opinions
out there? Terri -----Original
Message----- Here is an article about a new maximum
security Federal Prison opening in California that some see as the "final
solution" to computer recycling. I find it rather alarming!
Another reason why we must develop guidelines for sustainable recycling
practices. |