TED-Ed: What's a smartphone made of? - Kim Preshoff

Smartphones contain numerous elements, including gold, silver, and copper, as well as rare earth elements crucial for modern technology. However, extracting these elements has significant environmental and social impacts, such as habitat destruction and poor working conditions. As smartphone usage increases, reclaiming materials from old phones becomes essential. Recycling can help, but it also poses challenges, including unsafe labor practices. Until sustainable smartphones are developed, understanding and mitigating these impacts is crucial.

What are some of the critical groups of elements found in smartphones?

• Rare earth elements and precious metals

• Noble gases and alkali metals

• Halogens and transition metals

• Lanthanides and actinides

Which method is often used to extract rare earth elements, causing significant environmental damage?

• Underground mining

• Solution mining

• Open pit mining

• Hydraulic fracturing

What is a major social issue associated with mining for smartphone components?

• Overpopulation

• Poor working conditions for laborers

• Deforestation

• Increased urbanization

What is a recommended action for dealing with old smartphones to minimize waste?

• Store them indefinitely

• Donate them to a charity

• Sell them to a pawn shop

• Throw them in the trash

What is a potential risk of improperly managed e-waste?

• Toxic chemicals leaching into the environment

• Increased smartphone production

• Higher smartphone prices

• Improved recycling technology