Learn English FREE with Trancy & CNN 10 | How Discarded Electronics Are Being Recycled For Gold

G8 Level Reading Material

How Discarded Electronics Are Being Recycled for Gold

Do you ever wonder what happens to old phones, laptops, and other electronic devices after we throw them away? Some of them end up in recycling centers, where experts carefully take them apart to find valuable materials. One of the most important materials they look for is gold. Yes, you heard that right! Electronics like smartphones and computers contain small amounts of gold, as well as other precious metals like platinum and rare earth elements.

Gold is used in electronics because it is an excellent conductor of electricity. That means it helps the device work more smoothly. However, the amount of gold in one device is very small. So, why do we bother recycling electronics for gold? Because when you collect gold from millions of old devices, it adds up! In fact, at major events like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, many medals were made using metals recycled from old electronics.

However, recycling electronics isn’t easy. As technology advances, new devices are being made with cheaper metals, which makes it harder to recover valuable materials like gold. But recycling is still important because it helps reduce waste and saves valuable resources from being lost forever. So, the next time you’re thinking of tossing your old phone, remember that it could help make the next Olympic medal!

Vocabulary

1. Recycle: To process used materials so they can be used again.
   Example: We recycle paper, plastic, and even electronics to help the environment.

2. Valuable: Worth a lot of money or important.
   Example: Gold is a valuable metal used in many devices.

3. Precious metals: Rare metals like gold or platinum that are valuable.
   Example: Gold and silver are precious metals that are often recycled.

Grammar

1. Present Simple: Used to talk about habits or facts.
   Example: Electronics contain small amounts of gold.

2. Passive Voice: Used when the focus is on the action, not who does it.
   Example: Medals were made using recycled materials.

Synonym Match

Phrase Match

Gap Fill

Recycling _______________(1) is important because it helps recover _______________(2) like gold. Although new devices are being made with _______________(3) metals, recycling can still save _______________(4) resources. Medals for the Tokyo _______________(5) were made from recycled _______________(6).
Answers: (1) electronics, (2) valuable materials, (3) cheaper, (4) precious, (5) Olympics, (6) metals.

Listening Exercise

1. What is one reason gold is used in electronics?
   A. It is cheap
   B. It is a good conductor of electricity
   C. It is easy to find
   D. It is used in all devices
   Answer: B

2. Why is recycling electronics important?
   A. To get rid of waste
   B. To create new devices
   C. To recover valuable metals like gold
   D. To make devices last longer
   Answer: C

Speaking Exercises

1. Discussion: Why do you think it’s important to recycle electronics?
2. Role-play: Imagine you are explaining to a friend why they should recycle their old phone. What would you say?

G11 Level Reading Material

The Growing Importance of Recycling Electronics for Precious Metals

As technology continues to advance, we are becoming increasingly reliant on electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets. But what happens to these devices once they are no longer functional or useful? Many end up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution. However, there is a growing effort to recycle these devices, especially to recover valuable materials like gold, platinum, and rare earth metals.

Recycling electronics, also known as e-waste recycling, involves the careful dismantling of devices to extract components that can be reused. One of the most sought-after materials in this process is gold. Though the amount of gold in a single device is minuscule, when collected from millions of discarded devices, it becomes significant. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity and is highly resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for use in the circuit boards of electronics.

One notable example of recycling efforts occurred during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Olympic organizing committee took a unique approach by crafting their medals from recycled electronics. The gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to athletes were made from metals recovered from donated smartphones and other electronic devices. This was not only a symbol of sustainability but also an example of how e-waste can be transformed into something valuable.

However, recycling electronics is not without its challenges. In recent years, manufacturers have started using cheaper materials in newer devices. This shift makes it more difficult to recover precious metals like gold. Additionally, the recycling process itself requires sophisticated technology to extract these materials efficiently and safely. For example, extracting gold involves melting down the circuit boards, which can release harmful chemicals into the environment if not done properly.

Despite these challenges, the benefits of e-waste recycling are clear. By recovering valuable materials, we reduce the need for mining, which is harmful to the environment. Recycling also helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, where toxic materials from electronics can leach into the soil and water. As technology continues to evolve, finding more sustainable ways to manage e-waste will be crucial for preserving both our resources and the environment.

Vocabulary

1. Dismantle: To take something apart carefully.
   Example: Technicians dismantle old electronics to recover valuable materials.

2. Corrosion: The gradual destruction of materials by chemical reactions, often involving water or air.
   Example: Gold is resistant to corrosion, which is why it’s used in electronics.

3. E-waste: Electronic waste, or discarded electronic devices.
   Example: Recycling e-waste helps reduce pollution and recover valuable resources.

4. Efficient: Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
   Example: New methods of recycling are more efficient at recovering precious metals.

Grammar

1. Present Perfect Tense: Used to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
   Example: Manufacturers have started using cheaper materials in newer devices.

2. Relative Clauses: Used to provide additional information about a noun.
   Example: Gold, which is a precious metal, is highly valued for its use in electronics.

Synonym Match

Phrase Match

Gap Fill

Recycling _______________(1) involves dismantling devices to recover valuable _______________(2) like gold. One famous example is the 2020 Tokyo _______________(3), where medals were made from _______________(4) electronics. However, manufacturers have started using _______________(5) materials in newer devices, making it harder to recover _______________(6). Efficient recycling is necessary to reduce _______________(7) in landfills and preserve _______________(8).
Answers: (1) e-waste, (2) materials, (3) Olympics, (4) recycled, (5) cheaper, (6) precious metals, (7) waste, (8) resources.

Listening Exercise

1. What is the main reason gold is used in electronics?
   A. It is cheap to produce
   B. It is resistant to corrosion and conducts electricity well
   C. It is found in large quantities
   D. It is easy to extract
   Answer: B

2. What event showcased the use of recycled electronics for medals?
   A. 2012 London Olympics
   B. 2016 Rio Olympics
   C. 2020 Tokyo Olympics
   D. 2024 Paris Olympics
   Answer: C

Speaking Exercises

1. Discussion: Debate the pros and cons of recycling electronics versus mining for new materials.
2. Presentation: Prepare a short presentation on the environmental impact of e-waste and how it can be mitigated.

University Level Reading Material

The Role of E-Waste Recycling in Sustainable Resource Management

In the modern world, electronic devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From smartphones and laptops to more specialized equipment like medical devices and industrial machinery, electronics permeate nearly every aspect of society. However, as these devices reach the end of their useful life, they pose a significant challenge in terms of waste management. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is now one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, with millions of tons discarded each year.

Among the materials that make electronics valuable are precious metals such as gold, platinum, and rare earth elements. Gold, in particular, is used in circuit boards due to its excellent conductive properties and resistance to corrosion. Although the quantity of gold in a single device is minimal, the cumulative amount in millions of discarded devices is substantial enough to make recovery efforts economically viable. This process of recovering valuable materials from e-waste is crucial in reducing the environmental impact of mining and lowering the demand for virgin materials.

Historically, the process of recycling electronics has been labor-intensive, with workers manually dismantling devices to separate their components. In some countries, this work is done under dangerous conditions, often exposing workers to toxic chemicals released during the extraction process. However, in recent years, technological advancements have made it possible to automate parts of the recycling process, improving both efficiency and safety. For example, modern facilities can now use specialized machines to crush and melt circuit boards, allowing for the safe recovery of metals like gold without harmful emissions.

One of the most high-profile uses of recycled e-waste came during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The organizing committee launched an ambitious initiative to collect old smartphones, laptops, and other electronics from across Japan. The materials recovered from these devices were used to produce the gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to athletes. This not only served as a symbol of sustainability but also highlighted the potential of e-waste recycling on a large scale.

Despite these advances, the e-waste recycling industry faces significant challenges. One major issue is that newer electronic devices are being produced with fewer precious metals than before. This shift towards cheaper materials reduces the profitability of recycling and increases the complexity of the extraction process. Furthermore, the improper disposal of e-waste remains a global issue. In many developing countries, e-waste is dumped in landfills or burned, releasing hazardous substances into the environment.

The implications of e-waste recycling extend beyond mere environmental concerns. Economically, the recovery of precious metals from discarded electronics can provide a sustainable supply of materials that are critical for industries such as electronics manufacturing, renewable energy, and defense. For example, rare earth elements recovered from e-waste are vital in the production of wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries. By integrating e-waste recycling into a broader circular economy, we can reduce the environmental footprint of resource extraction and promote a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.

In conclusion, while the challenges of e-waste recycling are significant, its benefits cannot be overlooked. It represents a key opportunity to manage waste sustainably while reducing the need for harmful mining practices. As the global demand for electronics continues to rise, the development of more advanced and efficient recycling technologies will be critical in meeting the demands of a resource-constrained world.

Vocabulary

1. Indispensable: Absolutely necessary or essential.
   Example: Smartphones have become indispensable tools in modern communication.

2. Viable: Capable of working successfully; feasible.
   Example: E-waste recycling has become economically viable due to advances in technology.

3. Cumulative: Increasing in quantity by successive additions.
   Example: The cumulative amount of gold in discarded electronics is significant.

4. Toxic: Poisonous or harmful to living organisms.
   Example: Improperly handled e-waste can release toxic substances into the environment.

Grammar

1. Passive Voice: Commonly used in scientific writing to emphasize the action rather than the subject.
   Example: Gold is extracted from e-waste using specialized machines.

2. Conditional Sentences: Used to express a condition and its result.
   Example: If e-waste is not properly disposed of, it can lead to serious environmental harm.

Synonym Match

Phrase Match

Gap Fill

E-waste recycling is becoming increasingly important due to the _______________(1) environmental impact of electronic devices. Gold and other _______________(2) metals are recovered through sophisticated _______________(3) processes. One high-profile example of recycling came during the 2020 Tokyo _______________(4), where medals were made from recycled electronics. However, newer devices contain _______________(5) amounts of precious metals, making recycling less _______________(6). To address this, better _______________(7) methods are needed to manage e-waste and promote a _______________(8) economy.
Answers: (1) growing, (2) precious, (3) extraction, (4) Olympics, (5) fewer, (6) profitable, (7) recycling, (8) circular.

Listening Exercise

1. What makes gold a valuable component in electronic devices?
   A. Its abundance
   B. Its resistance to corrosion and high conductivity
   C. Its low cost
   D. Its easy extraction
   Answer: B

2. What challenge does the e-waste recycling industry currently face?
   A. A shortage of old devices
   B. Increasing use of cheaper materials in electronics
   C. Lack of technological advancement
   D. Decreasing demand for gold
   Answer: B

Speaking Exercises

1. Debate: Discuss whether the responsibility of recycling e-waste should fall on consumers or manufacturers.
2. Panel Discussion: Analyze the economic and environmental impact of large-scale e-waste recycling initiatives like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
3. Presentation: Present the potential role of e-waste recycling in reducing the global demand for newly mined precious metals.