Dell has introduced a company ban on the export of broken computers, monitors and parts to developing countries to tackle the e-waste problem.

According to India's Economic Times:

"lax enforcement of environmental and worker-safety regulations have allowed an informal and often hazardous electronic-waste recycling industry to emerge."

Dell's public stand on the issue has been lauded by environmental groups including the Electronics Takeback Coalition.

Question: as I understand it developing countries are pretty good at patching up broken electronics and putting them back into use, with bloth environmental and economic development benefits as people can get hold of workable IT for much less than it would cost to buy something new. Is Dell's position the right way to tackle the toxic waste problem (which is undoubtedly severe), or does it risk forcing people in developing countries to purchase expensive new kit?

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