What do people do with their old, out-of-date but still useful computers? Most people don’t know what to do with them. Many old computers are put away in homes. Many more are simply thrown out with the rubbish.

Finally, some companies are thinking of ways to reduce the number of old computers. Sony has agreed to help recycle old Sony products. Dell, HP and Lenovo companies now also take back some old computers.

In some countries, laws are being passed, too. Computer companies will have to pay for collecting and recycling their used products. And 70% of computer waste must be recycled. The idea behind the laws is that computer companies themselves should pay the cost. That will encourage them to make computers that are easier and cheaper to repair and upgrade (升级).

Yet while many people are throwing away good computers, others cannot afford them at all. Hundreds of organizations are working to solve this problem. They collect and repair old computers. Some also teach others how to repair computers.

The computers then go to schools, charities and people who need them. Giving a used computer to one of these organizations can turn one person’s rubbish into someone else’s useful things—and cut down an waste, too.

Rubbish is a very large kind of environment pollution. Each person produces about two kilograms of trash a day. What do you do with your trash? Throw it out? 【小题1】

The Santa Fe Show included more than 800 pieces of folk art from 50 countries. All of the pieces were made from discarded(丢弃的) metal, wood, cloth and plastic. The artists come from many different cultures. 【小题2】 They take objects that are thrown away and make them into objects that are beautiful useful and fun. The artists may not think of what they do as recycling, but that’s exactly what it is.

Fine artists might work with expensive materials. 【小题3】 The exhibit proves that a rich imagination makes up of poor materials.

The objects in the exhibit also call attention to recycling. Reducing the number of trash is an important idea in the modern world.

In 2005 the United States created 243 million ton of trash. 【小题4】 Back in 1980 only 15 million tons of trash were recycled in the United States. Compare that with 79 million tons in 2005, thanks to growing awareness(意识) and local government rules. Many products today include recycled material. For example, at least 30 percent of the steel in every metal bottle sold in your supermarket is recycled. It could be reused to make other things.

From the above we can see that besides metals,, other waste products can also be turned into many useful things. 【小题5】

China’s Double 11 online shopping festival is now getting greener. It has become a test field where some companies are trying to make a difference in lower carbon emissions.

In 2021, Tmall gave out 100 million yuan worth of shopping vouchers (代金券). The company encouraged people to buy green products with the vouchers. JD. com also joined in the activity. There were more than 150 million green products at the shopping festival. Besides, JD. com said it would choose cleaner transportation to make the world greener.

ZTO Express also took some action to achieve the goal last year. It handed out more than 11 million recyclable bags, taking the place of about 1.16 billion disposable (一次性的) bags. It was helpful in saving our environment. At the same time, Cainiao gave out 7.5 million eggs to people who took part in the box recycling activity. On the one hand, the old bags can be recycled and on the other hand, customers can get something useful in their daily lives.

There are also signs that customers are becoming “greener” in their shopping habits. For example, most people only buy things they really need instead of the things they already have. “During the Double 11, I bought a coffee maker that is much cheaper than on normal days. The activity of getting new ones with old products can help us avoid wasting money,” said Bi Xin, a customer in Shenzhen.

The shopping festival on November 11 is not only a festival for shopping now. It’s also a useful way to help more people realize what a green life is and then take action.