People for the Ethical Treatment of Electronics is an interactive new media project designed to raise awareness around the highly unknown issue of electronic waste through use of satire across digital mediums. Check out a PSA about PETE below, and take a look at their FULL SITE here.
From the People for the Ethical Treatment of Electronics Grant Report:
Coming from different areas of the country, four students came together through their communal love for technology and passion for equality and human rights. The group formed at Ithaca College in the fall of 2011. The members all share an enthusiasm for bringing awareness to the topic of electronic waste (e-waste) led to the formation of PETE. E-waste is the accumulation of improperly disposed electronic devices in Africa and Asia that are causing a great harm to the local inhabitants. In order to bring awareness and increase knowledge surrounding this topic, the foursome constructed the PETE project website (www.peoplefortheethicaltreatmentofelectronics.webs.com). The project focuses on the personification of improperly disposed electronic devices to open a critical invention into the questionable human rights aspects of the e-waste epidemic. The artists of this project set the long-term goal of passing a bill that regulates the disposal of electronics through a public petition. While accumulating signatures and money through donation (PayPal), the artists also focus their efforts on sending volunteers to the e-waste affected areas of Africa and Asia. Upon travel to these sights, volunteers will aid in clean up of the e-waste, provide medical attention for the local civilians, and hopefully generate a lasting connection between the people and PETE. As the foursome found each other through their fervor for change, they hope to spread their enthusiasm to others and stop the detrimental effects of e- waste.