1. Who should be responsible for properly disposing of electronic products no longer needed—consumers or manufacturers? Is it appropriate to ship e-waste to developing countries? Discuss alternative solutions.
2. Visit several electronics manufacturers’ Web sites to learn if they offer electronic recycling programs. Are manufacturers doing enough? Write a brief report on what you learned.

Does your computer have a floppy disk drive or use the DOS operating system? Do you listen to music on a cassette deck? How about recording movies on a VCR tape? You probably answered no. In fact, you may not even be aware of these products. All are examples of obsolete products. But did marketers plan it that way? Many companies have been accused of using planned obsolescence as a strategy to make more money.
However, new products often provide greater value for customers, especially in fast-changing industries such as computers and electronics. But what happens to the old products? This creates a growing concern over electronic waste, called e-waste. Although e-waste represents only 2 percent of the trash in our landfills, some analysts estimate that it accounts for 70 percent of overall toxic waste. The February 2009 digital programming mandate will generate a tidal wave of old TVs that will require disposal. Cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions contain several pounds of lead as well as other toxic materials. Although recycling programs are increasing and are required by law in some states, the waste is often shipped for recycling or disposal to landfills in China, Kenya, India, and other developing countries, where concerns over worker and environmental welfare are more lax.