Abstract High-Tech trash

In the article "High-Tech Trash" written by Chris Carroll, Carroll explains to the reader the post-use of the electrical waste that the United States discards. Such things as computers and televisions end up in landfills in such places as Ghana, Africa. Not only does our electrical waste end up in the landfills, but dangerous chemicals and e-waste which come from these electronics is doing more damage to the health of the people of this country than the electronics are doing to the landfills. America's development in new technologies is a contributing factor to all the waste that is being discarded. The fascination and want for the newest technologies is causing more and more electronics to be thrown away. The waste of Americans has become a job for young Israel Mensah,his family and other members of the community. Their job is to go to the landfills, collect the scraps of electronics and burn them. On some occasions they will take the scraps and buy others. In the process of burning these materials, these people are breaking parts that contain hazardous chemicals. Despite the serious health effects that these people are suffering from, they continue to do this. Year after year, Americans continue to dump their waste into other nations. According to this article, "In the United States, it is estimated that more than 70 percent of discarded computers and monitors, and well over 80 percent of TVs, eventually end up in landfills, despite a growing number of state laws that prohibit dumping of e-waste." If there are laws that are prohibiting this form of littering, why do Americans continue to do it? There is no way this situation can get better unless the people of Ghana speak up and the Americans find other ways to dispose of their trash.