What happens to your computers, MP3 players and cellphones when they're broken or you want a new one?
Most people just throw them away. In 2014, people around the world produced 41.8 million tons of electronic waste (e-waste) and only recycled 6.5 million tons, the United Nations said. The US was the biggest waster, producing 7.1 million tons of waste. China ranked second, with 6 million tons.
It's important to pay attention to e-waste. It can either be valuable or harmful, depending on how we treat it.
"E-waste is a valuable 'urban mine (城市矿藏)'," said David Malone, the UN under-secretary-general (副秘书长). The gold, silver, iron (铁) and copper (铜) in e-waste around the world are worth some $52 billion (322.1 billion yuan). These materials can be reused and help us save resources.
But if people throw their electronics away, toxic (有毒的) chemicals can get into the soil or air, affecting the environment and people's health. Malone said.
To help reduce e-waste, the first thing we can do is to buy longer-lasting electronic devices. If you have unwanted electronics, such as aging toys or cellphones, find a new home for them by giving them to charities. You can also see if there are any companies that offer recycling programs for their products. Apple, for instance, now offers people a discount (折扣) in China if they hand in their used devices when buying new ones. The company will test and repair the used devices and sell them at lower prices.
