Recycling electronic waste in Japan: Better late than never

Earlier this year, the Japanese government recruited virtual
character Hatsune Miku in a campaign to shore up cell phone recycling rates.

The squeaky-voiced anime singer
recorded a syrupy tune urging people to do their part. After all, Japanese replace their handsets so
frequently that phone recycling boxes can be found in convenience stores in
Tokyo.

What happens to yesterday?s gadgets? Urban miningCell
phones, computers and other IT goods, as well as components like circuit
boards, batteries and cathode-ray TV glass, face a mixed fate. Many are dumped,
some are recycled for precious metals, and some are shipped overseas. read more

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