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What shall we do with our tired computers?

The computer industry (1. build) is built on the assumption that PCs and electrical devices (2. replace) ___________ every few years. It is a strategy that leaves tons of electronic junk in its wake (over 130,000 PCs every day in America alone). Also, only a tenth or so (3. recycle) _______________. Ingredients such as cadmium, mercury and lead can do terrible things to people and places. In Europe, such e-waste is the fastest growing type of refuse. This (4. account) ______________ for 8% of all municipal rubbish.

Regulators (5. take) ____________ note. In California, legislation to levy a surcharge on computer sales to defray recycling costs (6. come) ____________ into effect last month. A European Union directive in 2003 requires equipment-makers to recycle, but it (7. not yet implement) _______________ in national laws.) Manufacturers such as IBM, Dell and HP (8. currently try) _______________ to defect further legislation by introducing their own recycling programmes. But they (9. have) ___________ limited success – partly because they tend to charge for recycling unwanted machines. Apple’s price for taking back one of its computers in America is $30.

Now eBay, the most world’s famous online auction business, (10. come) ___________ up with an innovative way to encourage people to sell, donate or recycle their old machines over the internet. A web-based program “reads” the redundant computer’s components and gives its specifications (like its memory and processor speed). Owners can then ascertain the value of their old PC, put it up for sale and get a special mailing kit to simplify shipping. The site also ______(make) it easy to donate a PC to charity or get it to a nearby recycler.

(the source: adapted from www.economist.com/node/3600050 )

Express your personal point of view concerning the processing of used PCs taking into consideration the following aspects and think over other measures to be implemented in this respect:

- reusing;

- reducing;

- sharing;

- upgrading;

- recycling.

V. Speaking: Taking account of the problems mentioned in the article “What shall we do with our tired computers?”, discuss in pairs the questions below and report your findings to the group:

1. What companies are mentioned in the article? What are they famous for?

2. How is each one dealing with the requirement to reduce electronic waste?

3. What is your personal opinion about the problems mentioned in the article and the solutions to them?

4. How harmful / useful are modern technologies in higher education?

5. Why cannot we do without them?

6. How do they enhance our lives?

7. What is the role of state in modern technology awareness?

8. Do technologies impose any legal responsibilities on their users?

9. What is a degree of personal responsibility in this respect?

10. In your personal point of view what is in store for us in terms of developing modern technologies?

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