High-Tech Trash - Quiz: E-Waste- National Geographic Magazine

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Click through ten multiple-choice questions to find out how much you know about electronic waste.

img/blair2.jpg img/ban.jpg img/essick1.jpg img/istockbox.jpg img/essick2.jpg img/david.jpg img/istocktrash.jpg img/blairtv.jpg img/dalechip.jpg img/cobb.jpg img/essick3.jpg 10 You're an expert. Way to dig through all the e-waste! A few more correct clicks and you will be an e-waste expert in no time. Your score is a little down in the dumps, but just try again! 0 Contains metals with commercial value Readily available Easiest to work with Contains no toxic components 1 Gold found in circuit boards is almost completely recyclable. The concentration of gold in circuit boards can be 40 to 800 times the concentration in gold ore mined in the United States. But circuit boards also contain lead and other toxic materials that, when not disposed of properly, can be extremely hazardous.]]> 8 As technology continues to advance, computer chips will become obsolete. Computer-processing power will double every 18 months to two years. There will eventually be no need for transistors in high-tech electronics. As the number of transistors increases, computer-processing power will be cut in half every two years. 2 2 Refurbish it for reuse Dismantle it Place it in storage Ship it to another country 1 9 Government restrictions No usable value Lack of recycling facilities Data security 4 1 Contributed to continuing toxic product manufacture Eliminated the exporting of toxic e-waste Allowed other countries to safely and legally dispose of e-waste Opened up a profitable market 1 4 United States Australia European Union China 3 5 It's recycled efficiently It's reconditioned for reuse It's sent to illegitimate recycling firms It's exported 4 3 Use of minimal packaging Products designed for easy upgrade or disassembly Products that offer leasing or take-back options All of the above 4 http://www.epeat.net.]]> 6 State parks NASA facilities Prisons Public schools 3 7 Circuit boards Cathode-ray tubes Copper wires Plastics 2