Ep 9. Cash for Trash

The Big Picture With Kal Penn is an American television show that premiered in 2015 on National Geographic Channel. Hosted by Kal Penn, an actor and former White House staff member, the show explores the intersection of science, technology, and society.

In season 1 episode 9, titled "Cash for Trash," Kal Penn examines the United States' growing problem with electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste. The episode starts by explaining how quickly technology is advancing and how frequently people upgrade their devices, leading to the accumulation of electronic waste.

The show takes the audience to a landfill in Florida where we see the dangerous potential of e-waste. The landfill is home to roughly 25 million pounds of electronic waste discarded by the United States. The episode showcases the toxic chemicals and heavy metals used in electronics that can pose serious health risks.

Kal Penn then interviews Howie Fendley, founder of Total Reclaim, a company that specializes in recycling electronics. Howie takes Kal through the process of extracting the valuable metals such as gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards and other components. This process prevents hazardous waste from ending up in landfills and reduces the environmental impact of the waste.

The episode also highlights the dangers of exporting electronic waste. Kal takes a trip to Ghana where electronic waste is illegally dumped, and the episode shows how it has become a toxic waste landfill. The episode exposed the human cost of this electronic waste, with people in Ghana extracting the smallest metals using dangerous methods such as burning, putting their lives at risk.

One possible solution to the e-waste problem is a program called the Basel Convention, a global treaty that restricts exports of hazardous waste. The United States is one of the few countries that have not ratified this treaty. By not ratifying the Basel Convention, the United States is allowing companies to export their e-waste to countries like Ghana where there are no environmental protections.

Next, Kal investigates the government incentives that are currently offered to companies producing electronics and how they may be contributing to the e-waste issue. He speaks with Kate Sinding from the Natural Resources Defense Council, who explains how the government’s policy can incentivize manufacturers to produce more electronics than what is necessary.

The episode concludes with Kal discussing the role of consumers. He encourages viewers to responsibly recycle their electronics, noting that many of the items are reused. Kal also talks about the benefits of buying used electronics, which can help extend their lifespan and reduce the demand for new products.

Overall, season 1 episode 9 of The Big Picture With Kal Penn, titled "Cash for Trash," tackles the complex and pressing issue of electronic waste in the United States and around the world. The episode offers insight into the potential environmental and health impacts of e-waste and explores possible solutions to the issue. Kal Penn's reporting is informative, and the visuals used to portray the scale of the problem are both informative and impactful.