Digital music "no greener than CDs"

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 19 Jun 2007 at 09:57

But McRandle's grade for existing recycling efforts remains a C-."They need to increase consumer awareness," he says. "If people don't know, they won't do it. Then you're left with this hunk of plastic with toxic elements in it that people are more likely to throw out than save."

He also faults the industry for encouraging replacement over repair or reuse. iPod batteries, for example, are notorious for having short life spans. While Apple offers a battery replacement program and operates a brisk refurbished iPod business, introducing a new iPod every year makes it easier to just buy a new one.

It's also worth noting that MP3 players contribute far less to electronic waste than the main culprits - mobile phones and computers - and much of today's faults are chalked up to the growing pains of a nascent industry.