1 Foxconn factory where iPhones are produced 2 Apple iPhone 4S launch in Beijing 3 Phone parts for recycling in Zhejiang Province

China has such a weird relationship with the iPhone. The world is having major guilt pangs about their iPhone habit ever since This American Life did a piece about factory life in China. And there is currently a petition doing the rounds that has attracted over 200,000 signatures calling on Apple to name suppliers who have violated standards.

None of this has put the brakes on sales in China itself though.

Frankly, I feel sorrier for the poor bastards in Guiyu who live in mountains of e-waste, sorting through electronic trash that is imported from around the world, for recycling. Their working conditions and pay are far worse than Foxconn factory workers.

The iPhone comes full circle.

4 Worker in Guiyu