Hi-tech industry members attending Computex Taipei, Asia's largest technology exhibition, were greeted by a different kind of exhibition today, put on by international environmental group Greenpeace.

Nine Greenpeace activists wearing protective gear held pictures that depicted the environmental conditions at e-waste scrap yards and stated "Hi-Tech Industry: Go Toxics Free Now!" in both English and Chinese.

Other activists on the street handed out information brochures exposing the environmentally unfriendly policies of the hi-tech industry. Greenpeace is calling on the electronics industry worldwide to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products and start producing toxics-free products. It is especially calling on the Taiwanese hi-tech giant, Acer, to keep its promise of releasing a toxics phase-out plan by the third quarter of this year.

"Inside those flashy hi-tech products exhibited at Computex Taipei are toxic substances that are harmful to the environment and people's health," said Greenpeace toxics campaigner Jamie Choi. Because it is impossible to safely recycle or dispose of products that contain toxics, communities surrounding scrap yards are heavily polluted and workers are at risk from exposure to these toxic substances, including heavy metals and organic pollutants.

Greenpeace also used its opportunity in Taiwan to remind Taiwanese company Acer to keep its promise of releasing a toxics phase-out plan. "Acer made a global promise to the general public last year that it will release a comprehensive toxics phase-out plan by the 3rd quarter of 2006, and that time is quickly approaching. We urge Taiwanese citizens today to act as watchdogs and make sure that Acer keeps this promise," stated Choi.

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