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UN warns of environmental e-waste catastrophe
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)E-waste Catastrophe - Level 4
The UN issued a warning about the amount of electronics we are throwing away. It is at record levels. The US is worried about an "environmental catastrophe". Electronic waste often contains toxic chemicals mercury. The UN reported that in 2022, we created 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator".
A lot of e-waste is sent to poor countries for recycling. However, they often cannot recycle in a way that minimizes environmental damage. E-waste is creating many health problems. It is poisoning rivers and seas. Worryingly, 58 tons of mercury entered the environment and food chain last year. The UN blamed manufacturers for failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed consumerism.
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11 online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
E-waste Catastrophe - Level 5
The UN has issued a warning to consumers worldwide. The amount of electronics we are throwing away is at record levels and is creating an "environmental catastrophe". The UN defines electronics as anything with a plug or a battery. They often contain toxic chemicals, such as lead and mercury. E-waste includes cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN reported that in 2022, the world generated 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator".
Most e-waste comes from developed countries. A lot of it is sent for recycling to poor countries. These often lack the resources to recycle in a way that minimizes environmental damage. E-waste is creating many health problems. It is poisoning rivers and seas. Worryingly, 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year. Some of this got into the food chain. The UN blamed manufacturers for failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's far more difficult to dispose of them".
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11 online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
E-waste Catastrophe - Level 6
The United Nations has issued a stark warning to consumers worldwide. The volume of electronics we are throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing of record amounts of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as anything with a plug or a battery, and often contains toxic chemicals and substances, such as lead and mercury. E-waste includes discarded cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world generated a mind-blowing 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator".
Most e-waste comes from developed countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer countries for recycling. However, these countries lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that minimizes environmental damage. The sheer volume of waste is creating a plethora of health problems. Dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year. Some of this enters the food chain. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of duty of care" by failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's far more difficult to dispose of them".
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25 online activities | 27-page printable | 2-page mini-lesson
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