What do you mean my old PC is in Africa?

When I first read " High Tech Trash" by Chris Carroll-- I was in complete shock. There were no words to describe how ignorant and small I felt.
Everyday I use my computer, Ipod, cell phone and everything in between. My family alone in the past 10 years has generated enough e-waste to fill a small stadium. And the thing is, it never, ever, ever crossed my mind where all our old electronics where actually going. You ship them off to be recycled and you think to your self "Oh wow I am doing such a good thing for the environment. I'm recycling!"... Lo and behold, many months later that same cell phone or computer thought to be recycled sits in a developing nation, going up in flames, and aiding in the demise of our physical world and the health of hundreds of children.
Of course I was disgusted and challenged by the idea of how piles of old electronics being made into shanty towns of flames. Can I actually help? Or is it to late for that? So many people make there living from the trade of scrap metal, people whom you wouldn't even imagine. There is so much turmoil in this world and now it is being enhanced by technology, the technology that was supposed to bring the world further into the future and into a new era of electronics. Well it's certainly bringing our lives to new heights, but I'm afraid over all "e-trash" will be the negative factor that brings all this new technology crumbling down.