On Point | Podcast The dirty truth about the global waste trade
Mar 25, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Alexander Clapp, author of 'Waste Wars,' highlights the staggering reality of electronic waste, with Americans discarding over 15 billion pounds annually. He sheds light on the lives of the 'Burner Boys' in Ghana, who face hazardous conditions as they handle toxic e-waste. Clapp exposes the dark side of the global waste trade, revealing its profound health and environmental risks. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and policy reform to combat the exploitation tied to e-waste and plastic pollution worldwide.
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Burner Boys of Agbogbloshie
- Agbogbloshie, Ghana, sees Burner Boys burning e-waste to extract copper.
- This slum processes discarded electronics, creating toxic fumes and pollution.
Toxic Burning Process
- E-waste burning in Agbogbloshie releases toxins, impacting residents' health.
- Fires fueled by plastic and foam create carcinogenic smoke, blanketing the slum.
Ghana's E-Waste Influx
- Ghana incentivized importing secondhand electronics to become Africa's cyber economy.
- This led to an influx of broken electronics, creating a toxic waste problem.