ELECTRONIC WASTE - COMPUTER FAIR 'CEBIT', HANOVER 2006 - NEWS ACCESS

Hanover; 9.3.2006 - At today's opening of the worlds largest computer fair - the 'Cebit' - this morning 30 Greenpeace activists protest against poisonous chemicals in electronic devices. In front of the entrance the activists set up a five meters gigant monster made of electronic waste. There are screens inside the monster's belly showing 'High Tech braucht kein Gift' (High Tech doesn't need poison). The activsits want to inform the visitors about the rising pollution through electronic devices such as computers etc. With an increasing demand of PCs; mobile phones and mp3 players also the electronic waste is growing faster. Greenpeace demands the stop of usage of these poisonous materials and expects the manufacturer to do so. In most cases these materials contain heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (bromierte Flammschutzmittel). Some countries ship their electronic waste - often illegally - to other countries such as China or India to dispose them. Workers there take this electronic waste apart to regain metals and plastics. This happens without any protection and directly in the open streets. On this tape: Statement (in English): Martin Hojsik; Greenpeace Slovakia chemistry expert (channel 1&2) Statement (in German): Ulricke Kallee; Greenpeace Germany chemistry expert

9 Mar, 2006

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