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.
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.
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.
[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.