The Dangers of Recycling an Entire Ship - Peter Gwin

Recycling old materials for new purposes is always seen as a win for conservation and green friendly living. But when those materials are coated in lead paint and asbestos, the act of reusing that is seen as undeniably positive becomes a bit more ambiguous. Peter Gwin's story in the May 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine tells about those who break down large oceangoing ships in India and Bangladesh and use all of the ship's parts for some new purpose. The dangerous working conditions for "The Ship Breakers" result in new hospital beds, fishing boats and iron rebar for those working nearby.