CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAY
Buying New Gadgets Could Harm Environment
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Holiday shopping has ceased and people with return items once again flood department stores. Many got what they wished for, but have the majority of Americans stopped to ponder where their items come from? What about the human and environmental consequences of those super low prices?As students in the Hermitage High School Humanities Center, we commonly debate such topics such as this. We have recently stumbled upon an Internet site called storyofstuff.com. There, a 20-minute video, written by Annie Leonard, reveals hidden facts about product production and how items are disposed of. During production, often environmental, health, and social problems arise.
Industries extract resources from nature, destroying many animals' and humans' homes and sources of food in the process. Toxic chemicals are often released into the environment. If that isn't enough, in order to sell items at extra low prices, workers are skimped on health care and are barely paid minimum wage. According to Leonard, 99 percent of consumer products are thrown away after six months. In disposal, trash is either burned or dumped into landfills, creating future problems for the environment.
We are a nation of consumers. We purchase the latest and greatest, grow tired of them and move on to bigger and better things. But all too often, people force the repercussions of buying to the back of their minds, hoping future generations will fix the world's growing problems.
Our goal is not to make the consumer feel guilty but rather to make them aware and become a more conscience buyer. Next time one wants to rid himself of yet another MP3 player, ask, "Where does this go and what can I do make sure it's disposed of properly?" Courtney Taylor,
Quang Pham. Richmond.
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Reader Reactions
Actually I may know the reason that “99 percent of consumer products are thrown away after 6 months”. THEY’RE CHEAP JUNK! In 1946 when someone bought a Scott or a Wards Airline radio, for broadcast listening, it lasted a really long time—there was no tossing in the trash can after 6 months, not even in 6 years.
It isn’t the consumer’s fault. Its our “free trade” that’s flooded the “market” with plastic garbage from Korea, China, etc. You sneeze on this stuff it dissolves right in front of you. The consumer has no choice but to buy this cut-rate engineering because that’s all there is. If the item even lasts 6 months it would be a modern day endurance record.
Malarkey! When these kids grow up they may learn that private enterprise provides them with jobs and benefits. Instead of attacking the productive part of society, why not attack those who throw away the items. It is not Sony’s or Walmart’s fault that his friends are irresponsible consumers.
Please, a crock: “If that isn’t enough, in order to sell items at extra low prices, workers are skimped on health care and are barely paid minimum wage.“ The kid has no clue as to the real world, yet you publish his inaccurate hogwash.
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