It really is sad. My father used to have a repair shop (back in the late 70s and 80s) and would fix all kinds of things including kettles, washing machines, hoovers, etc. Back then they were expensive, and people could not afford to replace them, they had to get them repaired. Its quite different these days with the prices of these goods tumbling relative to earnings, although her ein the UK you can recycle electrical goods at most recycling centres - but what happens to them after being left there I dont know - but hopefully it is done properly, with the harmful materials removed, and the useful materials being put to good use.