Breaking News English Lesson: E-waste Catastrophe

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UN warns of environmental e-waste catastrophe (25th March 2024)

The Reading / Listening - E-waste Catastrophe - Level 6

The United Nations has issued a stark warning to consumers worldwide. The volume of electronics we are throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing of record amounts of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as anything with a plug or a battery, and often contains toxic chemicals and substances, such as lead and mercury. E-waste includes discarded cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world generated a mind-blowing 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator".

Most e-waste comes from developed countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer countries for recycling. However, these countries lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that minimizes environmental damage. The sheer volume of waste is creating a plethora of health problems. Dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year. Some of this enters the food chain. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of duty of care" by failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's far more difficult to dispose of them".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

E-waste Catastrophe - Level 4 or E-waste Catastrophe - Level 5

Sources

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/20/climate/electronic-waste-recycling-climate-un/index.html
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/20/un-says-e-waste-is-piling-up-worldwide-as-recycling-rates-remain-low
https://www.foxnews.com/world/un-warns-mounting-e-waste-crisis-trashed-electric-devices

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. E-WASTE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about e-waste. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
United Nations / warning / consumers / electronics / e-waste / toxic chemicals / plug /
developed countries / environmental damage / health problems / food chain / duty
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DISPOSAL FEE: Students A strongly believe we should pay to dispose of each items of electronics we throw away; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THINGS WE THROW AWAY: What harm do these things do when we throw them away? How can we dispose of them so they cause no damage or problems? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Harm	Better Disposal
Electronics
Plastic bottles
Glass
Engine oil
Bicycles
Furniture

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. WARNING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "warning". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ELECTRONICS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most harmful to the environment at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

TVs
Fridges
Computers
E-cigarettes
Smartphones
Air conditioners
Microwave ovens
Printers

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	stark	a.	Different kinds of materials or matter; things that are made up of atoms and molecules.
2.	volume	b.	Very plain or clear, often in a way that is shocking or harsh.
3.	toxic	c.	Harmful or poisonous; able to cause illness or death.
4.	substances	d.	A machine or appliance that keeps food and drinks cold.
5.	mercury	e.	Extremely surprising or impressive; causing great astonishment or wonder.
6.	refrigerator	f.	The amount of space that something takes up.
7.	mind-blowing	g.	A heavy, silvery-white metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Paragraph 2

8.	dispose	h.	Thrown away or discarded carelessly; disposed of in a disorderly manner.
9.	sheer	i.	Something that you must do because it is morally or legally right; a responsibility or obligation.
10.	plethora	j.	Held responsible for something bad that happened; accused of wrongdoing.
11.	dumped	k.	A very large amount or number of something; an excessive quantity.
12.	disturbing	l.	Causing upset or worry; troubling or distressing.
13.	blamed	m.	To get rid of something; to throw away or discard.
14.	duty	n.	Complete and total; nothing except.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The UN has issued its highest warning regarding the disposal of e-waste. T / F
The UN said there are too many records in the e-waste. T / F
The UN said electronics was anything with a plug or a battery. T / F
The UN said the amount of e-waste we produce could fill the Equator. T / F
Poorer countries are responsible for most of the world's e-waste. T / F
The e-waste we are creating is causing many health problems. T / F
The UN said 58 tons of mercury enters the food chain every year. T / F
The UN blamed customers and manufacturers for the e-waste. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

stark
volume
toxic
discarded
placed
resources
minimizes
plethora
disturbing
far

amenities
tossed out
keeps down
amount
considerably
positioned
miserable
worrying
poisonous
abundance

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

issued a stark warning
anything with a plug
substances, such as lead and
the world generated a
if placed
sent to poorer countries
these countries lack
creating a plethora
showing a lack of duty
It also blamed

bumper-to-bumper
of care
mind-blowing 62 million tons
the technology
consumers
to consumers worldwide
for recycling
or a battery
of health problems
mercury

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

mercury
mind
record
stark
discarded
wrap
volume
plug

The United Nations has issued a (1) _____________________ warning to consumers worldwide. The (2) _____________________ of electronics we are throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing of (3) _____________________ amounts of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as anything with a (4) _____________________ or a battery, and often contains toxic chemicals and substances, such as lead and (5) _____________________. E-waste includes (6) _____________________ cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world generated a (7) _____________________ -blowing 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…(8) _____________________ around the Equator".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

plethora
developed
resources
lack
sheer
dispose
accept
chain

Most e-waste comes from (9) _____________________ countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer countries for recycling. However, these countries lack the technology and (10) _____________________ to dispose of it in a way that minimizes environmental damage. The (11) _____________________ volume of waste is creating a (12) _____________________ of health problems. Dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year. Some of this enters the food (13) _____________________. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a (14) _____________________ of duty of care" by failing to (15) _____________________ responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's far more difficult to (16) _____________________ of them".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The United Nations has issued a stark warning ______
     a. to customers worldwide
     b. to consumers worldwide
     c. to consumes worldwide
     d. to con summers worldwide
2) The UN defines electronics as anything with a plug ______
     a. or a battery
     b. or a bartering
     c. or a bat tally
     d. or a batter
3) and often contains toxic chemicals and substances, such as ______
     a. lead and mercury
     b. read and mercury
     c. led and mercury
     d. leaden mercury
4) reported that in 2022, the world generated a mind-______
     a. blow in 62 million tons
     b. blown 62 million tons
     c. blowing 62 million tons
     d. blow wing 62 million tons
5) 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap ______
     a. around the Equate or
     b. around the Equation
     c. around the Equatorial
     d. around the Equator

6) e-waste comes from developed countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer ______
     a. countries fore recycling
     b. countries for recycling
     c. countries four recycling
     d. countries foray cycling
7) lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that ______
     a. minimizes environmental damage
     b. mini mazes environmental damage
     c. mini maize is environmental damage
     d. minimal is environmental damage
8) Some of this enters ______
     a. the food train
     b. the food chair
     c. the food chime
     d. the food chain
9) The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of ______"
     a. duly of care
     b. duty of care
     c. due tea of care
     d. duty off care
10) "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's ______
     a. afar more difficult
     b. fare more difficult
     c. far more difficult
     d. farer more difficult

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Nations has (1) ____________________ warning to consumers worldwide. The volume of electronics we are throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing (2) ____________________ of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as anything (3) ____________________ or a battery, and often contains toxic chemicals and substances, such as lead and mercury. E-(4) ____________________ cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world (5) ____________________ 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, (6) ____________________-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator".

Most e-waste (7) ____________________ countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer countries for recycling. However, these countries lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that minimizes environmental damage. The sheer volume of waste is creating (8) ____________________ health problems. Dumped electronics (9) ____________________ and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year. Some of this enters (10) ____________________. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of duty of care" by (11) ____________________ responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's far more (12) ____________________ of them".

Comprehension questions

What kind of warning did the United Nations issue?
What two things did the UN say needed to be an item of electronics?
What two chemicals were mentioned as being toxic?
How much e-waste did the world create in 2022?
What could 1.5 million 40-ton trucks be wrapped around?
Where does most e-waste come from?
What do poorer countries lack regarding the recycling of e-waste?
How much mercury entered the environment last year?
Who did the UN blame for failing to accept responsibility?
What things did the UN say are needed to buy electronics?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of warning did the United Nations issue?
a) a fair warning
b) a stark warning
c) a first warning
d) a second warning
2) What two things did the UN say needed to be an item of electronics?
a) a power switch and a dial
b) a screen and keyboard
c) a microchip and transistor
d) a plug and a battery
3) What two chemicals were mentioned as being toxic?
a) lead and mercury
b) silver and lithium
c) mercury and silver
d) gold and lead
4) How much e-waste did the world create in 2022?
a) 64 million tons
b) 63 million tons
c) 62 million tons
d) 61 million tons
5) What could 1.5 million 40-ton trucks be wrapped around?
a) Antarctica
b) the Equator
c) the tropics
d) the North Pole

6) Where does most e-waste come from?
a) developed countries
b) poorer countries
c) countries in the Global North
d) countries in the Global South
7) What do poorer countries lack regarding the recycling of e-waste?
a) recycling plants
b) minerals and chemicals
c) technology and resources
d) skilled labour
8) How much mercury entered the environment last year?
a) 58 tons
b) 57 tons
c) 56 tons
d) 55 tons
9) Who did the UN blame for failing to accept responsibility?
a) manufacturers
b) consumers
c) recycle shops
d) suppliers
10) What things did the UN say are needed to buy electronics?
a) information and reviews
b) a wallet and credit card
c) a will and a desire
d) clicks

Role play

Role A – TVs
You think TVs cause the most damage to the environment when discarded. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): fridges, smartphones or printers.

Role B – Fridges
You think fridges cause the most damage to the environment when discarded. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): TVs, smartphones or printers.

Role C – Smartphones
You think smartphones cause the most damage to the environment when discarded. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): fridges, TVs or printers.

Role D – Printers
You think printers cause the most damage to the environment when discarded. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): fridges, smartphones or TVs.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'electronic'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'waste'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

stark

record

defines

includes

mind

placed

sent

resources

sheer

58

care

far

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - E-waste Catastrophe

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'waste'?
How do you get rid of the electronics you throw away?
How bad are refrigerators for the environment?
What electronics do we really, really need?
How can we make electronics less harmful to the environment?
Should we all buy used or reconditioned electronics?
What happens when the landfills are full of waste?
How do you feel when you see discarded electronics in the countryside?
What's the best way to discard electronics?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'catastrophe'?
What do you think about what you read?
What kind of catastrophe might the UN be talking about?
Should developed countries recycle their own discarded electronics?
What health problems do discarded electronics cause?
How harmful is mercury?
How can we reverse our consumerism?
What responsibility do manufacturers have in electronics disposal?
What questions would you like to ask the UN?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The United Nations has issued a (1) ____ warning to consumers worldwide. The volume of electronics we are throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing (2) ____ record amounts of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as anything with a plug or a battery, and often contains (3) ____ chemicals and substances, such as lead and mercury. E-waste includes discarded cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world generated a (4) ____ -blowing 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed (5) ____-to-bumper, could…(6) ____ around the Equator".

Most e-waste comes from developed countries. A lot of it is (7) ____ to poorer countries for recycling. However, these countries lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that (8) ____ environmental damage. The sheer volume of waste is creating a (9) ____ of health problems. Dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year. Some of this enters the food (10) ____. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of duty of care" by failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their (11) ____. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's (12) ____ more difficult to dispose of them".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a)     stork     (b)     stark     (c)     strike     (d)     stake
(a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     on     (d)     the
(a)     tragic     (b)     exerted     (c)     laxative     (d)     toxic
(a)     brain     (b)     mind     (c)     soul     (d)     heart
(a)     bummer     (b)     bumper     (c)     bumble     (d)     bump off
(a)     warp     (b)     wipe     (c)     wrap     (d)     wrapt
(a)     dispatched     (b)     consigned     (c)     sent     (d)     conveyed
(a)     smalls     (b)     lesser     (c)     minimizes     (d)     belittles
(a)     veracity     (b)     groundless     (c)     consignment     (d)     plethora
(a)     bonds     (b)     series     (c)     padlock     (d)     chain
(a)     products     (b)     produce     (c)     prods     (d)     productive
(a)     faraway     (b)     afar     (c)     far     (d)     farer

Spelling

Paragraph 1

issued a raskt warning
luovem of electronics
ixtoc chemicals
lead and recrymu
fsoraertgerir and e-cigarettes
wrap around the routEaq

Paragraph 2

sent to poorer countries for lnricgeyc
mmiisneiz environmental damage
a raolhept of health problems
electronics are nsigpinoo rivers
The UN blamed uturamcerfans
failing to accept irlsieityobsnp

Put the text back together

(...)   recycling. However, these countries lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that
(...)   problems. Dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the
(...)   mind-blowing 62 million tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than
(...)   and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world generated a
(...)   1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator".
(..1..) The United Nations has issued a stark warning to consumers worldwide. The volume of electronics we are
(...)   duty of care" by failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their products. It also blamed
(...)   consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's far more difficult to dispose of them".
(...)   Most e-waste comes from developed countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer countries for
(...)   throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing of record
(...)   amounts of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as anything with a plug or a battery, and often contains toxic
(...)   environment last year. Some of this enters the food chain. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of
(...)   minimizes environmental damage. The sheer volume of waste is creating a plethora of health
(...)   chemicals and substances, such as lead and mercury. E-waste includes discarded cellphones, refrigerators

Put the words in the right order

a The to UN stark warning consumers . issued
are throwing volume electronics away . The we of
We amounts of disposing are of record e-waste .
with anything a as electronics plug . defines It
of We generated tons mind-blowing a e-waste . 62 million
to countries . is poorer it sent of Lots
a problems . E-waste health plethora creating of is
enters food Some chain . of this the waste
a just to clicks electronics . It's buy few
to difficult them . It's far more of dispose

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The United Nations has issued a stork / stark warning to consumers worldwide. The volume / voluminous of electronics we are throwing away is creating an "environmental catastrophe". We are disposing on / of record amounts of "e-waste". The UN defines electronics as / has anything with a plug or a battery, and often contains toxic / toxify chemicals and substances, such as lead and mercury. E-waste includes discarded / regarded cellphones, refrigerators and e-cigarettes. The UN Global E-waste Monitor has reported that in 2022, the world generated a brain-blowing / mind-blowing 62 million tins / tons of e-waste. CNN said this waste could, "fill more than 1.5 million 40-ton trucks which, if placed / bumped bumper-to-bumper, could…wrap around the Equator / tropic".

Most e-waste comes from redeveloped / developed countries. A lot of it is sent to poorer countries for / on recycling. However, these countries lack / slack the technology and resources to dispose for / of it in a way that minimizes environmental damage. The sheer / shear volume of waste is creating a plethora / diaspora of health problems. Dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas. A disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment / environs last year. Some of this enters the food chain. The UN blamed manufacturers for showing "a lack of duty / beauty of care" by failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their produce / products. It also blamed consumers, saying, "it's just a few clicks" to buy electronics, but "it's fair / far more difficult to dispose of them".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns h_s _ss__d _ st_rk w_rn_ng t_ c_ns_m_rs w_rldw_d_. Th_ v_l_m_ _f _l_ctr_n_cs w_ _r_ thr_w_ng _w_y _s cr__t_ng _n "_nv_r_nm_nt_l c_t_str_ph_". W_ _r_ d_sp_s_ng _f r_c_rd _m__nts _f "_-w_st_". Th_ _N d_f_n_s _l_ctr_n_cs _s _nyth_ng w_th _ pl_g _r _ b_tt_ry, _nd _ft_n c_nt__ns t_x_c ch_m_c_ls _nd s_bst_nc_s, s_ch _s l__d _nd m_rc_ry. _-w_st_ _ncl_d_s d_sc_rd_d c_llph_n_s, r_fr_g_r_t_rs _nd _-c_g_r_tt_s. Th_ _N Gl_b_l _-w_st_ M_n_t_r h_s r_p_rt_d th_t _n 2022, th_ w_rld g_n_r_t_d _ m_nd-bl_w_ng 62 m_ll__n t_ns _f _-w_st_. CNN s__d th_s w_st_ c__ld, "f_ll m_r_ th_n 1.5 m_ll__n 40-t_n tr_cks wh_ch, _f pl_c_d b_mp_r-t_-b_mp_r, c__ld…wr_p _r__nd th_ _q__t_r".

M_st _-w_st_ c_m_s fr_m d_v_l_p_d c__ntr__s. _ l_t _f _t _s s_nt t_ p__r_r c__ntr__s f_r r_cycl_ng. H_w_v_r, th_s_ c__ntr__s l_ck th_ t_chn_l_gy _nd r_s__rc_s t_ d_sp_s_ _f _t _n _ w_y th_t m_n_m_z_s _nv_r_nm_nt_l d_m_g_. Th_ sh__r v_l_m_ _f w_st_ _s cr__t_ng _ pl_th_r_ _f h__lth pr_bl_ms. D_mp_d _l_ctr_n_cs _r_ p__s_n_ng r_v_rs _nd s__s. _ d_st_rb_ng 58 t_ns _f m_rc_ry _nt_r_d th_ _nv_r_nm_nt l_st y__r. S_m_ _f th_s _nt_rs th_ f__d ch__n. Th_ _N bl_m_d m_n_f_ct_r_rs f_r sh_w_ng "_ l_ck _f d_ty _f c_r_" by f__l_ng t_ _cc_pt r_sp_ns_b_l_ty f_r wh_t h_pp_ns t_ th__r pr_d_cts. _t _ls_ bl_m_d c_ns_m_rs, s_y_ng, "_t's j_st _ f_w cl_cks" t_ b_y _l_ctr_n_cs, b_t "_t's f_r m_r_ d_ff_c_lt t_ d_sp_s_ _f th_m".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the united nations has issued a stark warning to consumers worldwide the volume of electronics we are throwing away is creating an environmental catastrophe we are disposing of record amounts of ewaste the un defines electronics as anything with a plug or a battery and often contains toxic chemicals and substances such as lead and mercury ewaste includes discarded cellphones refrigerators and ecigarettes the un global ewaste monitor has reported that in 2022 the world generated a mindblowing 62 million tons of ewaste cnn said this waste could fill more than 15 million 40ton trucks which if placed bumpertobumper could wrap around the equator

most ewaste comes from developed countries a lot of it is sent to poorer countries for recycling however these countries lack the technology and resources to dispose of it in a way that minimizes environmental damage the sheer volume of waste is creating a plethora of health problems dumped electronics are poisoning rivers and seas a disturbing 58 tons of mercury entered the environment last year some of this enters the food chain the un blamed manufacturers for showing a lack of duty of care by failing to accept responsibility for what happens to their products it also blamed consumers saying its just a few clicks to buy electronics but its far more difficult to dispose of them

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheUnitedNationshasissuedastarkwarningtoconsumersworldwide.T
hevolumeofelectronicswearethrowingawayiscreatingan"environme
ntalcatastrophe".Wearedisposingofrecordamountsof"e-waste".The
UNdefineselectronicsasanythingwithaplugorabattery,andoftencont
ainstoxicchemicalsandsubstances,suchasleadandmercury.E-wast
eincludesdiscardedcellphones,refrigeratorsande-cigarettes.TheU
NGlobalE-wasteMonitorhasreportedthatin2022,theworldgenerate
damind-blowing62milliontonsofe-waste.CNNsaidthiswastecould,"
fillmorethan1.5million40-tontruckswhich,ifplacedbumper-to-bum
per,could…wraparoundtheEquator".Moste-wastecomesfromdevel
opedcountries.Alotofitissenttopoorercountriesforrecycling.Howeve
r,thesecountrieslackthetechnologyandresourcestodisposeofitinawa
ythatminimizesenvironmentaldamage.Thesheervolumeofwasteiscr
eatingaplethoraofhealthproblems.Dumpedelectronicsarepoisoningr
iversandseas.Adisturbing58tonsofmercuryenteredtheenvironmentl
astyear.Someofthisentersthefoodchain.TheUNblamedmanufacture
rsforshowing"alackofdutyofcare"byfailingtoacceptresponsibilityfor
whathappenstotheirproducts.Italsoblamedconsumers,saying,"it'sj
ustafewclicks"tobuyelectronics,but"it'sfarmoredifficulttodisposeoft
hem".

Free writing

Write about e-waste catastrophe for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should have to pay when we throw anything away. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. E-WASTE: Make a poster about e-waste. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. DISPOSAL FEES: Write a magazine article about charging everyone a disposal fee whenever they throw away items of e-waste. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on e-waste. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on what to do with e-waste. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson: E-waste Catastrophe

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