Stage 3
In the article “closing smelters is no solution” in the
Dallas Morning News was published on February 17th 2013. The author
presented his editorial and I found it quite intriguing to know. The editorial
is presented with the issue of recycling batteries, which is better than
dumping them in a landfill. It is illegal to dump you’re car battery in the
trash, which is why we recycle right?
Every car on the planet uses a battery, and these batteries
are broken down into lead and acid. Which are very harmful when directly
exposed to a human. There are various plants around the U.S. that break these
down into their elements and make new batteries. Which in this process some
vapors are exposed into the air, and the FDA regulates air pollution according
to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Every power plant is required
to maintain a “reasonable” amount of toxins and if they succeed in keeping them
down, they are fined. According to CEC the plant in Frisco, TX has violated
their agreements to keep the neighborhood safe and the urban community’s around
the plant are fed up with them. Excide Technologies is shutting down there
recycling plant in Frisco, TX. They have agreed to let Mexico handle the
recycling and deal with the smelter problem. Excide can not compete with their
low wages and turn a profit at the end of the day. In reality is this the true
answer?
In my opinion this is stupid. The AIR which we can not
control will eventually move to our country the United States, and Mexico can
get away with a lot with less restrictions and less environmental regulations. I
think we are running away from our problems and it will eventually bite us
later on. Yes we will see a temporary fix for the town of Frisco, and save a
few bucks but in reality all we are doing is passing our problems to a less sufficient
country. I think the plant shut down in an effort to “stay ahead” with their
bank accounts. I believe the cost would have been over their heads and their
actions were to go as long as possible before they were ordered to shut it
down. Instead of taking necessary actions to stay open for business, the plant
is passing their environmental burden onto another country.