Western values - dumping toxic waste in poor...

Ah, those Western values. The world is a better place because of them. Or is it?

For example, what do rich Western countries do with their toxic waste? They dump it illegally in poor(er) countries.

Recently, Brazilian police found 64 containers with more than 1,400 tons of toxic waste plus 25 containers of hospital waste from Britain in three of the country's ports.

Among the toxic material found in the containers were batteries, syringes, leftover food, condoms, and nappies.

One container contained "dirty toys with a note in Portuguese saying they should be washed before being given to 'poor Brazilian children.'"

Some containers contained hospital waste including bags full of blood.

The import papers said the shipments contained "plastic for recycling."

A Brazilian government official says his country will do everything to prevent the Western countries making "the world's rubbish bin" out of Brazil.

Comments: 16

Jack E. Jul 17, 2009, 8:38am EDT

This is why the Somali pirates have started holding ships for ransom. This waste including heavy metal waste was washed up on their shores with the Tsunami.

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Justmeans Better. Business. Jul 17, 2009, 11:21am EDT

This is really a point of concern..countries like India, Brazil and Nepal are most affected by this dumping...

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Leo Lemmer Jul 17, 2009, 12:27pm EDT

Man's inhumanity to man.

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Sheryl O. Jul 17, 2009, 1:15pm EDT

Disgusting. This is one of the nasty results of greed and bigotry.

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Jack E. Jul 17, 2009, 1:24pm EDT

This is the action of the white European races which includes white America and their phony scams about helping underdeveloped countries.

scott .. Jul 17, 2009, 10:31pm EDT

racist

Jack E. Jul 18, 2009, 11:40am EDT

lol another attack dog finds his way through the sludge.

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Sheryl O. Jul 17, 2009, 1:52pm EDT

Perhaps we should take our cue from artists and turn our garbage into works of art.

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Jack E. Jul 17, 2009, 2:28pm EDT

Could be Sheryl but I think we should practice what we preach, it would be cheaper and we wouldn't be spreading the pollution on innocent people.

Sheryl O. Jul 17, 2009, 3:34pm EDT

We've never practiced what we preached in this country, Jack. Why start now?

Jack E. Jul 17, 2009, 3:56pm EDT

Because if we do not start now we will not be a country much longer.

Sheryl O. Jul 17, 2009, 4:11pm EDT

I happen to agree, but I think we are in a very small minority.

Jack E. Jul 17, 2009, 4:14pm EDT

Our minority is going to grow very fast before the year is out Sheryl.

Mr. lip service Obama is going to start moving full blast very soon and it will not be the change everyone was hoping for.

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Baby J. Jul 18, 2009, 9:32pm EDT

This is a good example of why we need to look at our industries and move toward making them sustainable. The NIMBY reflex is very powerful. If communities had to deal with the pollution that they produced, you would see some serious changes.

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Jack E. Jul 18, 2009, 9:57pm EDT

Your right Baby, my state has very strict laws on pollution and air quality but we are always being picked on by government saying we need to clean up our act because our air pollution drifts in from the coal burning mid west.

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Douglas Erisman Jul 21, 2009, 9:23pm EDT

I am sure you are all aware of independent waste contractors negotiating between countries.

Toxic waste dumpage at the ocean floor and the debate over THE BEST areas to dump as if there is a good argument at all for dumping it in the ocean.

Proposals for orbiting toxic waste and the rate of decomposition and radioactivity.

You know, we as parents of an eager pet-wanting child tend to say, "if you can't take responsibility for it, then you can't have it".

I suppose the argument could be made for the importance of R&D in regards to chemistry, drugs and nuclear power, but it just seems to remind me of everything that is wrong with capitalism (not a hater, just a realist).

Greed is synonymous with waste. Or should I say "results in"?

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Western values - dumping toxic waste in poor countries

Comments: 16

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