CITIZENSHIP MANAGING E-WASTE Given the huge amount of e-waste produced every year it is absolutely necessary to reduce its production and find ways to recycle it. However, this is possible only if industries and governments, as well as individuals, are aware of the problem. 19. Watch the video and complete the summary with the missing words. ► How e-waste is harming our world posted by Interesting Engineering It is 1. ........................................... waste, i.e. all discarded electric or electronic devices. A. What is e-waste? B. What are the dangers produced by e-waste? Direct contact with harmful materials and heavy 2. ........................................... such as lead, 3. ........................................... and chromium. Inhalation of 4. ........................................... fumes. Leaching of toxic materials and their accumulation in soil, water and 5. ............................................ Severe damage to human blood and the 6. ........................................... and to the central and 7. ........................................... nervous systems. Risks of 8. ........................................... related to recycling activities. Valuable e-waste elements are copper and 9. ........................................... but primitive methods of extraction expose people to toxic 10. ............................................ Harmful substances can affect child development. C. How can we combat e-waste? Sell or 11. ........................................... electronics. Maintain electronics properly, so they last 12. ............................................ Recycle. Buy energy 13. ........................................... rated electronics. Recover metals to reduce the amount of 14. ............................................ D. Why is it difficult to follow these simple rules? Electronics today are made to be replaced, i.e. planned 15. ............................................ It is 16. ........................................... to buy something new than to fix something old. E. What are the consequences? Dangerous increase of mining. Large amounts of electronics in 17. ........................................... leaking toxicity. F. Waste could be reduced by: Reuse ............................................ ............................................ G. Possible solutions: Buy-backs or 20. ........................................... systems for used equipment. Set export limits: i.e. the quantity of new electronics should equal recycled or reused electronics. 20. GROUP WORK Re-read the summary from the previous activity and discuss the questions. Then, report to the class. Can you suggest other ways to combat e-waste? (ref. paragraph C) Why is it difficult to follow simple rules? Give reasons (ref. paragraph D) Do you agree on what is said in paragraph F? Can you suggest other possible solutions? (ref. paragraph G) 1. 2. 3. 4.