Global Breaking News - Tuesday, December 24, 2024

South Korea is dealing with increasing amounts of waste from electronic devices. These useless or unwanted parts are often called “e-waste.” Tons of old computers, telephones and other devices are often taken to landfills and buried under the ground. The old products may leak toxic or poisonous chemicals.
* electronic device = 전자(전기)기구/ e-waste = e-페기물/ landfill = 쓰레기 매립지/ toxic = 유독성의

Now, some local governments in South Korea are launching special e-waste recycling programs. The city of Seoul throws out about 10 tons of e-waste each year. About 20 percent of that goes to the Seoul Resource Center, also known as the SR Center. There, electronic devices are taken apart so that valuable metals like gold or copper can be extracted and reused. South Korean officials say metal extraction is a $3.8 billion-dollar industry. Ji Un-geun is the chief executive officer of the SR Center. He says reusing electronic parts is not only about earning profits. He says the goal is to protect the environment.
* take sth apart = ~을 분해하다/ copper = 구리, 동/ extraction = 추출