Dear Editor,
Thank you for covering the story about the problematic electronic waste collection event held at Seattle Pacific University in March. I am writing to request that you print a correction to a misquote attributed to me in the article, as it is important to get the facts right. I had told your reporter that Direct Computer Disposal (DCD) processed more than 150,000 lbs (not 50,000 lbs) of Washington's e-waste from this event, and that we fully supported this material going to DCD, as they are one of few companies that have met our criteria for globally responsible electronics recycling. Unlike the missing monitors (handled by some unknown entity), we know exactly what DCD is doing with the toxic materials present in the 164,000 lbs of WA e-waste processed in their facility. Although trucking over 300,000 lbs of old computers, TVs, and monitors to California does not make sense from an environmental/global warming perspective, given that we have competent recyclers here in Seattle, we were relieved to learn that at least half of the e-waste ended up at DCD, a responsible company committed to respecting international laws, above and beyond compliance with US requirements. We don't, however, have a similar level of confidence about materials that went elsewhere.Thank you for correcting the numbers, and clarifying that the monitors never went to DCD to begin with - their destination remains a mystery. - Sara Westervelte-Waste Project CoordinatorBasel Action Network[[In-content Ad]]
