ECycling refers to the recycling of electronic items, which are becoming a common problem in American home and throughout the world. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, has actually started a program to help and motivate the recycling of electronics.

To get the program to the regional and neighborhood levels, the EPA directed “Plug-In to eCyeling Partners.” These partnerships support electronic reusing programs in individual communities. They provide local governments, retailers and manufacturers with opportunities to reuse and recycle their items. Those who make and offer electronic devices then promote programs and opportunities for consumers to reuse their second-hand electronic products. One of the EPA’s goals is to enlighten customers about why the recycling of electronics is so important. They likewise wish to make eCycling chances easily accessible to specific consumers and their family electronics. According to the EPA, the eCycling program has actually been quite successful. In 2008, the EPA collected 66.5 million pounds of electronic devices through their Plug-In Partners.

Local governments have actually likewise got on board and passed laws intended to handle used electronic devices. Huge corporations have actually introduced eCycling programs at their local retail stores. One seller offers customers small, medium and big boxes for sale, which the customers then load with used electronics and go back to the store. Typically，customers bring their recyclable electronics to a location. When the electronic items are gathered by the EPA(typically this is done byt he Partners), they are reused or recycled.

Reused items are repaired and refurbished, and passed on to others as a contribution. You can repair or recondition your very own electronic devices too, extending the life of the items and conserving the energy of making new materials. Reusing electronic devices includes making use of the products and pats of the items. These materials and parts are then made use of to produce another item. This is more efficient than making items from new materials.

Some items that are commonly eCycled consist of televisions, computer monitors, printers, notebook computer, keyboards and cable televisions. Less usual items include copying machines, CDplayers, voice mail machines, computer hard drives, mobile telephones, remote controls, radios, batteries, telephones, facsimile machines and computer games. Occasionally, electronic items such as microwaves, fans, vacuums, smoke alarms, and toasters are eCycled.

As the eCycling program continues, you or your organization may want to get involved. Check the EPA’s internet site (www.epa.gov) for regional eCycling programs, or for details on how your company can participate. Their website has links to organizations that are taking part in the eCycling program.

When we eat some popular kinds of shellfish (贝类海产), we leave behind large amounts of shells. 【小题1】 Several projects now aim to put them back into waterways.

In the U.S., shells cast aside in restaurants and other businesses are being collected, cleaned and thrown back into waterways. 【小题2】 One of the latest projects on oysters (牡蛎) takes place in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The shells were put into the state’s Mullica River and helped form new or expanded oyster groups. Free-floating baby oysters connect to the shells and grow on them. 【小题3】 It has also helped eateries (小餐馆) save money on dealing with their shells, according to Scott Stueber, a fisheries biologist with the Department of Environmental Protection. 

【小题4】 In nature, oysters are cleaners. One adult oyster can remove pollutants from about 190 liters of water a day. So oysters can improve water quality. Oyster groups also are being planted along some coastlines to strengthen shores. Besides, oyster reefs can protect shorelines. Such reefs can also be homes for sea creatures and provide food for humans.

Communities, environmental groups and governments around the world have had oyster reefs recycled and replanted in recent years. It’s happening in many states of the United States. 【小题5】 Since 2009, the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University has collected about 800,000 kilograms of shells and rebuilt about 100,000 square meters of oyster reefs.

When I was in fifth grade, I wrote a paper about the migration of the monarch butterfly and received a perfect score. I called my grandmother, Nana, to tell her the exciting news. All of my talk about monarchs evoked memories from Nana’s childhood. “I remember when I was a girl out on the farm, those black and orange butterflies were a common sight. But there does seem to be fewer monarchs fluttering around the neighborhood each summer. Perhaps we should try to find out where they’ve gone.”

Nana and I decided to investigate. That weekend, Nana met me at the public library and we started our research? The best information produced was this: it doesn’t take lots of money, equipment, or government organizations to save the monarch butterflies; it takes only a little bit of land, and dedicated people to create what’s called a Monarch Waystation. We decided to set up our own Monarch Waystation.

The next week, Nana presented the idea to her garden club. They decided to plant a butterfly garden next to the city park. The library put together a display of gardening and butterfly books. The editor of the local newspaper wrote an informative article on how to make our community monarch-friendly. As spring turned into summer, those volunteers also worked to weed and care for the public gardens. We all waited and watched to see whether our plan would work—it did work! Over twenty black and orange butterflies were noticed visiting the Waystations. As monarchs fluttered around us, people laughed and danced; Nana cried tears of happiness. It was truly a meaningful experience.