Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

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The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) was formed in San Jose, California- as a research and advocacy group that promoted safe environmental practices in the high tech industry. The organization was founded in 1982 after leaks at manufacturing sites at IBM and Fairchild Electronics were suspected of causing widespread birth defects and health issues in the Silicon Valley.^[1]

SVTC advocated for a toxic-free future with environmental and social justice improvements. On their website they stated that “[Their] goal is environmental sustainability and clean production, improved health, and democratic decision-making for communities and workers most affected by the high-tech revolution.”^[2]

The group was originally composed of high tech workers, community members, law enforcement, emergency workers and environmentalists. They aimed to educate the masses on best practices for computer recycling and promote corporate social responsibility on subjects ranging from nanotechnology, solar, and consumer e-waste. Regarding E-Waste, SVTC promoted using materials and methods that are more ecologically friendly in the production of electronics. SVTC also encouraged the establishment of Extended Producer Responsibility, making producers responsible for their products’ disposal. Acknowledging the negative impact of sending e-waste containing harmful toxins overseas to prisons and to underdeveloped nations, SVTC exposes those companies who participate in this means of disposal and hold them accountable.

During the past few years, after a change in leadership, SVTC has worked in the area of solar energy. SVTC details the negative effects of solar energy’s increased growth and expansion in the US. Solar panels contain the toxic materials that are also found in other e-waste and can, therefore, be equally as harmful to dispose of.^[3] To help with this, SVTC has worked with the University of Edinburgh to develop a solar scorecard to help consumers and designers in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia to decide their purchase hinged upon three sections: service and spare parts, repairability, and recyclability.^[4] Furthermore, SVTC constructed the Green Jobs Platform for solar to try to improve the economy and the environment. Both the solar industry as well as the principles of the social and environmental justice were incorporated together on this platform to create global supply, production, and recycling operations.^[5]

Ted Smith, author of Challenging the Chip, founded the organization and was Executive Director for 25 years, but Sheila Davis now spearheads their efforts.