NOVANEWS
by Abraham Greenhouse

It’s difficult to avoid, especially in the frenzy of consumerism and gift-giving which washes over the West at the end of every year: “I meant to boycott that company,” I’ve had friends tell me, “but it was a gift.” Or, “I bought it before I knew.” But like it or not, our unwitting purchases, or receipt thereof as gifts, play a role in preventing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel from achieving their full potential.
Individual responsibility doesn’t end once the money is spent, or once a gift is received. Simply owning a product manufactured by a company complicit in Israeli apartheid sends a message that makes others less willing to take up the boycott. This post explores the proper, evironmentally responsible means for disposing of such products by examining a few representative examples.
Electronics

Activists protest outside Motorola’s office in Brooklyn, New York City. (Bud Korotzer)
Unfortunately, several major manufacturers of consumer electronics, such as Motorola and General Electric, provide weapons and other technologies to the Israeli military. BDS campaigns targetting these companies have led to several divestment victories, but achieving a large scale consumer boycott has remained elusive. You can help change this by divesting yourself of these products, provided you do so properly.
Many companies claim to provide electronics recycling services, but not all of them comply with environmental best practices. In the United States, two bodies exist to provide formal certification to electronics recycling firms which meet their operational criteria. Both bodies, R2 Solutions and e-Stewards, have recently begun to certify facilities in the United Kingdom as well. Each certifier’s website features a global directory of recyclers who have received that body’s certification.
Cosmetics

Boycott activists protest the sale of Ahava products at a US store (Steve Rhodes).