High tech pollution

The recycling of high-tech garbage is becoming a pressing problem. In the last few decades we‘ve been like children in the toy shop trying to get the latest electronic gadgets. Manufactures bring new toys faster than we can buy. And the more we buy the more we throw them away.

I

The speed of turnover is very high. Anyone who has ever bought a computer will be sure that a PC is out of date as soon as you buy it. If a computer has a fault it is more economical to throw it away and buy another than mend it.

II

This trend isn’t confined to computers either. Germany, Europe’s richest nation, discard s 1.5 million tons of electrical appliances every year. Only about 100.000 tons of units are recycled. The vast majority are burnt or thrown on the scrap-heap. And this causes serious problems. One of the country’s major recycling firm has been chargedwith dumping toxic waste containing the substance PCB once widely used in TVs and computer as insulation. Since 1985 its production has been illegal and disposal is governed by strict rules. But these rules aren’t being followed.

I III

Klaus Brodersen of Erlangen University is trying to produce a definite classification what chemicals should and should not be used in production of high-tech equipment. But it is an uphill struggle. It costs up to $ 7.000 to analyze a single component, and so far Brodersen has examined only 200 of the 100.000 most common.

I IV

Siemens Nixdorf, which runs a very expensive recycling programme for its old equipment, says there are more than 100 different plastics in its computer casings. No one knows precisely what went into each model. The only certainty is that all the casings contain bromine a kind of toxic flame retardant. It is also impossible to recycle and to incinerate it. If you are able to burn the casing, you’ll produce extremely toxic dioxins.

V

So what is to be done about electronic waste? Eco-visionaries propose a future in which appliances not bought but leased. This would be a tricky practice. Who would be responsible for faulty and toxic equipment? Who would take back the equipment – the dealer, manufacturer or importer? Who is going to monitor manufactures? And, of course, in the long run it is more expensive to hirea TV or a computer than it is to buy one.

I VI

The Swiss have solved the problem by making charge to cover all disposal costs at the time of purchase. There is chaos in Germany where this system has yet to come into force. Some firms make you pay, some collect without charge, some take all goods, others refuse to have anything to do with it. Municipal authorities are disorganized.

VII

The answer to all problems lies in intelligent construction which are aimed at economy, ease of disposaland increasing life expectancy of products. The manufacturer Loewe has developed a green TV which contains only 39 grams of plastic as opposed to the standard 6.7 kilos and 50 grams of toxic materials against 5 kilos. It is expected to last up to 30 years, twice as long as other TVs. Companies like this show the way forward.

2. Families disposing garbage can divide it into two categories:

1. The waste that can be recycled and burnt	2.The waste that can’t be recycled or incinerated

a) Which of these categories would these items be placed in? Complete the table.

…old newspapers … aluminum beer cans … acids and chemicals … broken plates, cups … glass bottles … electric appliances: irons, kettles, hair dryers, blenders …an old color TV … a faulty computer …electronic components … outdated cassette-recorders and telephones …torn woolen sweater …metal tin opener …plastic casings …PCB containing insulators

b) Which from the above mentioned discarded items could be referred to high-tech garbage or electronic waste?

c) What is the average life span or expectancy for: a mobile phone, a washing machine, color TV set?

4. Match the words in bold from the text with the corresponding definitions.

1. turnover a. to dump

2. discard b. to repair

3. incinerate c. period ending in ten years

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