← Issues in Technology

eWaste from hardware upgrades

Electronic waste - discarded devices and hardware that are thrown away instead of reused or recycled.

Part of: Investigating Issues in Technology — Module 11, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 20, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 41

Understanding eWaste from hardware upgrades in Issues in Technology

What it does: This describes the harmful effect of eWaste. Repairing keeps devices out of the eWaste pile. Frequent upgrades mean more old hardware gets thrown out as eWaste. eWaste harms the environment when it's not disposed of properly. Recycling keeps old devices from becoming pure waste. Any old hardware, including GPUs, can end up as eWaste. Replacing instead of repairing often adds more eWaste. eWaste comes from many devices, not just phones.

Common mistakes: eWaste harms the environment, it doesn't help it. Recycling reduces eWaste, it doesn't increase it.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Part 2 of 2) and word search (All modules).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Does upgrading hardware too often create eWaste?
YesNo
Matches
Buying a new PC every year is eWaste-free
↓
Wrong - frequent upgrades increase eWaste
Applying
Meanings
Term
eWaste
Meaning
Electronic waste - discarded devices and hardware that are thrown away instead of reused or recycled.
Practice
eWaste: electronic waste from devices we throw away.
Testing
Gaps
harms our environment
Check Answer
Spots
1eWaste helps the planet
2It's discarded electronics

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Quick Questions

1. Does upgrading hardware too often create eWaste?
A. No
B. Yes ✓
Frequent upgrades mean more old hardware gets thrown out as eWaste.
2. Is eWaste good for the environment?
A. No ✓
B. Yes
eWaste harms the environment when it's not disposed of properly.
3. Can recycling old electronics reduce eWaste?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Recycling keeps old devices from becoming pure waste.
4. Do old GPUs ever become eWaste?
A. No
B. Yes ✓
Any old hardware, including GPUs, can end up as eWaste.
5. Does repairing a device instead of replacing it reduce eWaste?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Repairing keeps a device in use instead of adding to eWaste.

Match the Pairs

eWaste → Discarded electronic devices and hardware
Recycling old electronics → Helps reduce eWaste
Harms the environment when thrown away → eWaste
Reduces eWaste by fixing instead of replacing → Repairing devices
Buying a new PC every year is eWaste-free → Wrong - frequent upgrades increase eWaste
Old GPUs can never become eWaste → Wrong - old GPUs become eWaste too

Key Term

eWaste
Electronic waste - discarded devices and hardware that are thrown away instead of reused or recycled.

Fill in the Blanks

1. eWaste harms our environment
Hint: Type the word for discarded electronic devices and hardware.
2. Upgrading too often creates eWaste
Hint: Type the word for discarded electronic devices and hardware.
3. Recycling helps reduce eWaste
Hint: Type the word for discarded electronic devices and hardware.
4. Old phones become eWaste when thrown away
Hint: Type the word for discarded electronic devices and hardware.
5. Buying new devices adds to eWaste
Hint: Type the word for discarded electronic devices and hardware.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A eWaste helps the planet
B It's discarded electronics
C Old devices add to eWaste
Line A — eWaste harms the environment, it doesn't help it.
Question 2
A eWaste harms the environment
B Recycling increases eWaste
C Buying new adds to eWaste
Line B — Recycling reduces eWaste, it doesn't increase it.
Question 3
A eWaste harms the environment
B Old phones can become eWaste
C Fixing devices makes eWaste
Line C — Repairing devices reduces eWaste, it doesn't create it.
Question 4
A eWaste harms the environment
B Buying new devices adds to it
C Recycling helps reduce eWaste
D GPUs never become eWaste
Line D — Old GPUs can become eWaste too, just like other hardware.
Question 5
A eWaste harms the environment
B RAM upgrades can create eWaste
C Recycling helps reduce eWaste
D Repairing devices reduces it
E eWaste is good for landfills
Line E — eWaste is harmful, not good, for landfills and the environment.

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