The Story of Electronics
Provocative New Film “The Story of Electronics” Released
Film Calls for an End to “Design-for-the-Dump” and Exports of e-Waste to Developing Countries
November 9, 2010. “The Story of Electronics,” an accessible and very smart eight minute film about e-waste, will be playing at www.storyofelectronics.org this Tuesday, November 9.
The latest internet video release by Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff Project employs a simple but never “dumbed-down” communication style. “The Story of Electronics” provides all consumers of electronics with an overview of the life-cycle of our electronic gadgetry and the environmental challenges presented by the IT age. It is seen as especially accessible to young people and an invaluable tool for students of all ages and their teachers.
“The film denounces the mindless ‘design-for-the-dump’ mentality that has resulted in so much of our toxic e-waste exported and dumped in developing countries,” said Jim Puckett, the Executive Director of the Basel Action Network (BAN). “I hope every elementary, high-school or college student and their teachers will take a look at this thought provoking cartoon and bring it into school.”
BAN is the organization that first exposed the global e-waste dumping crisis in China and West Africa and subsequently created the e-Stewards® Certification for electronics recyclers, which defines the highest standards of responsible recycling and identifies those who will not export your old TV or computer to a developing country. e-Stewards Recyclers can be found at www.e-Stewards.org.
Co-produced with the Electronics Take Back Coalition (ETBC) – a national partnership of environmental and public health groups including BAN – and Free Range Studios, “The Story of Electronics” is hosted by Annie Leonard. Ms. Leonard created the hit viral video “The Story of Stuff,” one of the most watched environmental-themed short films ever, and directs the non-profit organization Story of Stuff Project.
“If we can figure out how to make an IPhone remember where you parked your car,” said Ms. Leonard, “then we can figure out how to make electronics that aren’t filled with toxic chemicals and en route to the trash can just months after we buy them. Let’s apply some of that creativity and innovations to making products that are safe and long lasting.”
Contact:
Allison Cook, Story of Stuff Project (213) 507-4713, allison@storyofstuff.org
Neil Peters-Michaud, Cascade Asset Management (608) 316-6637, nmichaud@cascade-assets.com
Kathleen Goldstein, Electronics Take Back Coalition, (202) 841-0295,
Sarah Westervelt of BAN, swestervelt@ban.org, (206) 652-5555.
For more information:
The Story of Electronics companion website, www.storyofelectronics.org, offers an interactive resource for viewers, including students and teachers that want to use the film as a launch pad for projects.
To find out more about the e-waste crisis visit www.ban.org and to find responsible recycling solutions, visit the Basel Action Network’s e-Stewards website at www.e-stewards.org.
