Sarah Westervelt, e-Waste Project Coordinator for the Basel Action Network, uncovers the ugly truth about the alleged recycling of consumer electronics and cell phones.

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SHOW INTRODUCTION E-Waste. Do you actually know what becomes of the computer, printer, or cell phone you diligently carried to a electronic recycler? Most of the news isn’t good. These devices with their incredibly short obsolescence are filled with precious and rare natural resources AND deadly toxins. Developing nations want to get their hands on them both for the precious metals and for the fees paid to them for recycling them. The story of who and how they are allegedly recycled isn’t pretty. Neither is the story about where these precious resources are taken and the damage it causes to the creatures we share the planet with. The story was well reported on by 60 Minutes several weeks ago and can be viewed on the website for the Basel Action Network, www.ban.org. Today we are joined by Sarah Westervelt, e-stewardship director from BAN.