Because we are buying electronic products -- things like computers and mobile phones -- at ever faster rates, there has been a dangerous explosion in electronic scrap (e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot be disposed of or recycled safely.

We are lobbying electronic companies to not only stop using toxic chemcials but to also take back their products and recycle them safely.

A lot of the industrialised world's e-waste is exported, often illegally to Asia (including China).

There, workers at scrap yards, some of whom are children, are exposed to a cocktail of toxic chemicals and poisons.

It is possible to make clean, durable products that can be upgraded, recycled, or disposed of safely and don't end up as hazardous waste in someone's backyard.

What's so poisonous in electronic gadgets

Electronic devices are a complex mixture of several hundred materials, many of which contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium and hazardous chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants.

Polluting PVC plastic is also frequently used.
These dangerous substances cause serious pollution and put workers at risk of exposure when the products are produced or disposed of.

Of particular concern is the exposure of children and pregnant women to lead and mercury. These metals are highly toxic and can harm children and developing foetuses even at low levels of exposure.

Electronic ranking guide

The guide ranks the 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TV's and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change.

This is the latest e-guide (July 2009).

For more information, check out our How the companies line up section.