UNWANTED ELECTRONIC WASTE RISING IN TOXIC PILES

By: Ian Urbina

Published: The New York Times; March 18, 2013; http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/19/us/disposal-of-older-monitors-leaves-a-hazardous-trail.html?_r=0

Level of Difficulty: ** However, this is a slightly tougher level** so don’t make it the first one you do

BEFORE YOU READ

·         Have you got a flat screen television? Was your old television working when you got rid of it?

·         How about your computer monitor? Was the old one working when you got rid of it?

·         When did you last get a new phone? Are you planning to get the latest phone going on the market?

·         What do you imagine happens to old televisions and computer monitors?

·         Are they biodegradable or toxic?

·         How much of a threat do they pose?

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AND MAKE NOTES

Unwanted electronic gear http://www.wnyc.org/story/277653-unwanted-electronic-gear-piles/  

QUESTIONS

1.       The purpose of the example in the first two paragraphs is to draw attention to:

·         The lack of space to store electronic gear

·         The negligence of electronic recycling companies

·         The gravity of the problem

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

2.       Flat screen technology has made recycling televisions

·         Unnecessary

·         Bad business

·         A waste of time

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

3.       What does “The predicament” at the beginning of paragraph 5 refer to? What conclusions can we draw from it?

4.       For what two reasons can’t the glass which is accumulating be recycled along with regular glass?

5.       The fact that this waste is non-biodegradable and toxic makes it …………………………………………..

6.       The facts and figures presented concerning leaded glass points to the need for:

·         Better disposal methods

·         More landfills

·         More smelters

·         More storage facilities

·         Changes in legislation to allow storage

·         All of the above

·         None of the above

7.       What instigated the shift in the television market?

8.       What principles govern production in the modern business world?

9.       New flat screen televisions are an environmental hazard because of………………………………………

10.   It is obvious that the take back programs have back fired because …………………………………………

11.   How do bio-electronics companies get round making huge investments in recycling programs for products?

12.   Public and online auctions provide the opportunity to ultimately to get rid of products by ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

13.   Read the story of Dluback Glass. What conclusion can be drawn from this example?

14.   Why did the writer end by talking about Fresno?

WRITING TASK: GUIDED PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY

The text you have just read is a cause effect analysis essay but the solutions are hinted at. After you’ve done a little more research, focus on these solutions, add to them and write a problem solution essay.

In your introduction, indicate that the business community with its emphasis on the short term goal of profit has always been at loggerheads with environmentalists with their long term vision of what irresponsible production and dumping of toxic waste will do to the planet. Draw attention to the issue of electronic waste and then end the paragraph with a thesis statement:

Thesis Statement: Both companies and consumers need to take a more responsible attitude by considering changes in attitude to safeguard the planet.

In your first developmental paragraph, focus on companies and expand on the following points:

·         Research to discover technology to safely dispose of waste

·         Design products that last longer

·         Use fewer toxic components

·         Use components that are more easily recycled

In your second developmental paragraph, focus on the consumers’ role.  Discuss the importance of campaigns to raise public awareness using the media, the press, schools and religious institutions; the importance of resisting the urge to keep up with the Jones’ and wastefulness.

In your conclusion, point out that the world will be a far better place with less toxic waste.

UWANTED ELECTRONIC WASTE RISING IN TOXIC PILES KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This disturbing text draws attention to an ever growing and thus far insoluble environmental concern which students, with their love of the latest electronic gear, should be made well aware of. I feel that we all need to step back and think when we chuck our next phone, television monitor or television. My hope is that this text will engender a little voluntary simplicity or at least awareness. The writing task is guided so this activity could be used to introduce this essay form.

1.       The third one. Careful; the text is concerned with an environmental problem

2.       All of the above

3.       Stockpiles of useless material accumulating across the country; small changes in the marketplace can suddenly transform a product into a liability; the federal and state authorities face difficulties in keeping up with these rapid shifts

4.       It contains lead; OR there are few buyers for leaded glass

5.       Environmentally destructive

6.       The first. Careful all the others are environmentally harmful

7.       The fact that television broadcasters turned off their analogue signals nationwide in favor of digital.

8.       Companies design products that last less time, use more toxic components and can’t be recycled.

9.       Flat panels that use fluorescent lights with highly toxic mercury in them.

10.   More than 290.000 tons of high tech cast offs are directed away from landfills and towards recyclers each year. Your answer has to cover industry and homes.

11.   Through paper transactions; OR by buying paperwork to indicate that they collected a certain amount of electronic waste that they never collected.

12.   Dumping it illegally in developing countries.

13.   The sheer quantity of glass accumulating at some recycling plants has contributed to environmental and workplace safety problems

14.   It is tidy planning; to tie back to the introduction