Here's a catchy little tune called the Dead iPod song. It describes what to do with your iPod when it inevitably dies.
For a much scarier perspective on e-waste and the problems of toxins, check out The Electronic Wasteland that aired on 60 Minutes. It profiles one of the most toxic places on earth...a town in China that specializes in extracting precious metals from e-waste. It is amazing that anyone can survive there!
Many companies now have recycling programs. Apple has an iPod and cell phone recycling program which provides you with a free (they pay the postage) way to send in your broken iPods and cell phones for environmentally responsible disposal. Dell's recycling program always provides free recycling for Dell branded products. And if you buy a new Dell system and select free recycling at the time of purchase, Dell will even recycle your old computer and monitor for free even if it isn't a Dell product.
Discussion Questions for Students:
1) Do you have any broken computing devices at home? How are you planning on disposing of them?
2) Have you ever thrown an old computing device in the regular trash? What impact do you think this had on the environment?
3) HANDS-ON ACTIVITY: Search the Web for technology recycling programs in your area that accept old computers and monitors. Are there limitations on what types of devices they accept? Is there a charge to the consumer for recycling?
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