Gadgets-to-go: Why Whittling E-waste is Becoming Big Business

The latest gizmos are topping many Christmas lists. But what happens to the "old" computers, mobile phones and other devices that are superseded by the next new things? This issue has been high on environmentalists' agendas for years. And it's soon to become a hot topic for consumers and businesses in Australia as the government plans a stewardship program for the recycling of e-waste in 2011 that, inevitably, will add to the cost of these much-loved gadgets. Beyond the initial price tag, it's time to pay for the impact of digital devotion and for designers to factor in product obsolescence. However, e-waste also presents a new resource for those with bright ideas – and, ultimately, it will create new jobs for many.