Join us for a presentation by

Stephanie Alarcon

featuring her Capstone research on E-Waste!

Everything we do as technology users depends on the critical minerals from which our devices are made. From iron, aluminum and plastic, to gold, coltan and rare earth metals, these raw materials affect the availability and price of the electronics we use all the time. What happens at the end of their useful lives?

By now, the problems with electronic waste are well known: Recycling is difficult and expensive.  Exportation of junk electronics from rich to poor nations creates intractable waste problems on the receiving end. Imported waste creates incentives for informal recycling which is incredibly dangerous to workers and harmful to the environment. But with extreme monopolization of certain mineral markets, particularly China's domination of the rare earths market, recycling has ceased to be simply a good thing to do.  It is also a green investment opportunity and an economic hedge against volatile commodities markets.

In this presentation, the ins and outs of the e-waste issue will be discussed as well as environmental justice issues, US and international policy responses, and the Capstone process.

Stephanie graduated from the MES program in May 2011 with a concentration in Urban Environment. Her work was featured a large international tech conference in Germany in August 2011 and in NYC in July 2010.

Her work may be accessed at http://www.stephalarcon.org/capstone/. View a video of her previous presentation here: http://www.stephalarcon.org/2011/08/area-treehugger-speaks-at-german-hacker-conference/.

This will be a great way for MES students to learn about an interesting topic and about how to frame your research question for your Capstone project!

Guests are encouraged to bring a brown-bag lunch. Lunch will be provided for the first 15 people, first come first served. *Seating is limited, please RSVP.*