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| Originally Posted by Martini Whilst this is a sound theory, it does not work on a global scale. USA, India and China are terrible polluters but they are not going to be paying pollution tax to Europe. There is a European anti-pollution (recycling) scheme called WEE ( http://www.bsi-global.com/Manufactur...E/Index.xalter) which says that by law anyone making electrical goods must offer a method of retrieving and re-cycling these goods when their life has expired. At no charge. All well and good, but it has some fundamental flaws: 1) It only applies to Europe 2) Customers will not pay the extra cost this new service will entail 3) The law says European manufacturers must do it, so cheap Asian manufacturers win again. Until there is some way of ensuring polluters WORLD-WIDE are held to account I don't see any way to counter global warming. We are not all innocent here in Europe, either. If every country was to use resources at the same rate as Portugal, we would need three planets to support us! ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/...0061221.shtml) |
you make a lot of valid points there, but the WEEE directive stipulates that manufacturers must declare on their invoicing all charges which relate to the WEEE directive. This goes on until 2010 or 2012 I think, then the charges still apply but are not shown. So people have to pay the cost of recycling
But Japan is ahead of the EU in recycling and California will be mirroring the WEEE directive so although it wont be a miracle cure, taking a lead does influence.
manufacturers of goods from outwith the EU have to pay also, most likely done through there import arms eg Sony UK So whether you buy a Sony or a Bang and Olufson TV the receipt for either will list the associated WEEE charges.
you are right we are not all innocent, we need to take responsibility for what we do.