The explosive problem with recycling old electronics

The Post's Geoffrey A. Fowler visits an e-waste warehouse in Madison, Wis., where our favorite gadgets, like the iPad, are sparking battery fires and contributing to a recycling crisis. Subscribe to The Washington Post on TH-cam: bit.ly/2qiJ4dy
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[@awesomecomputers7076]

When I'm done using an electronic device, I fix it and keep it

[@michalbalecki4629]

Smart

[@EddieJazzFan]

You can easily repair old tech like a reel to reel tape recorder from the 1970s with a few dollars in parts and materials. There is no reason that we can't make stuff that can be easily repaired or upgraded today. Planned obsolescence by manufacturers is used to just sell more and more stuff without regard to this waste problem.

[@Rod-bp8ow]

The manufacturers warranties are always bundled with the product, it is doable, realizable, and configurable to sort, organize INVENTORIES Assets supplies for the makers/brands.😊

[@Rod-bp8ow]

A NON REVERSE approach is applied for this feed, and is designed to complete.

[@goncalodumas]

Thanks for this heads up from a reputable source like The Washington Post. I respect and adhere to the makers and right to repair movement and I hope in the future electronic manufacturers will get on the bandwagon of safe repairability and recycling.
As a retrocomputing enthusiast, the impulse to repairability is built-in - most of my old devices like computers and electronic gadgets were saved from the trash pile or recycling centre, repaired and cared for.
It's sad to see how modern devices reach obsolescence so fast - forced to be scraped by unwilling support from manufacturers whose objective is to sell the latest gadget.

[@jdillard343434]

Did you say respectful site and Washington post in the same sentence 🐑

[@stubbsy_0138]

Thank you for the knowledge

[@MysLed]

So why don't we begin to send all old Apple products back to Apple, since they refuse to offer any help to recyclers with info on how to safely discard their own damn products.

[@marvinwilliams4223]

Actually apple will recycle their own products. They will even mail you a box to pick it up free of charge.

[@diegoperez2090]

Talking about safety but not wearing goggles or safety glasses...

[@Wheel333]

Nice one apple.

[@mintybudgie]

hold up wasnt that reporter from wall street journal???

[@mintybudgie]

the laptop im typing this on (mid 2009 macbook pro) is from a electronic recycling company who repaired this laptop and now im putting it to good use again instead of it going into e waste.

[@nasrimarc7050]

With the new politic of the manufacturers you should to buy a new device every 2 year's

[@amberperez4272]

Off topic but...is any other engineer watching this wondering why he isn't wearing safety glasses??

[@TheCanadianWelder]

I'm just a lowly technologist, but noticed the same. Probably for the camera.

[@dianegonzalez4748]

Take 2 lithium and call in the morning,👀

[@pace1869]

No worries.... Apple stuffs getting that expensive that soon nobody would buy it

[@mejhon6592]

I am scare now to recycle electronic

[@TheCanadianWelder]

Please don't be!
Articles like this should be careful not to discourage people from participating in recycling programs. The alternative is almost always the landfill, in which electronics have even more chance to cause fires!
Electronics recyclers are the organizations most capable of handling electronics waste - and if there is a problem like the one indicated in the video, then it will need to be worked out between them and manufacturers with the help of the authorities and regulation.
As a consumer, best thing we can do is get the message to electronics manufacturers that we want to see responsible products created in a way they can be de-manufactured safely and efficiently.

[@TheCanadianWelder]

This is incredible. 1:48
WP says the worker learns how to de-manufacture the iphone by looking at an Apple products repair website, that Apple doesn't provide them with any instructions or assistance.
So here I am thinking, "Why would Apple just refuse to provide help? Did they even ask for any?"
Cut to shot of recylcing centre worker who says "One time we tried to get information about the batteries" and Apple told them to "just recycle it and get a new one"....
...
So you're telling us, that Apple told the -- recycling centre -- that the answer was to RECYCLE IT, and then GET A NEW ONE??
Hmm. I don't know, maybe try asking Apple a whole -- second -- time, but this time say "WE ARE A RECYCLING CENTRE looking for a quicker and safer way to dispose of the dangerous batteries inside."
Either WP's article is leaving some important details out, or there is a serious lack of follow-through on this safety issue. Did WP try contacting Apple for comment about this?

[@raullovessbk2]

i think they explained that to apple but apple is strict with third partys even if its just recylcling

[@NOPO-0]

I do not like this dude

[@gapsmalawad7853]

Guys dnt wry i buy your all gadgets apple and Samsung jst pm me