In the United States alone,over 100 million cell-phones are thrown away each year.Cell-phones are part of a growing mountain of electronic waste like computers and personal digital assistants.The electronic waste stream is increasing three times taster than traditional garbage as a whole.

Electronic devices contain valuable metals such as gold and silver.A Swiss study reported that while the weight of electronic goods represented by precious metals was relatively small in comparison to total waste,the concentration（含量）of gold and other precious metals was higher in So-called e-waste than in naturally occurring minerals.

Electronic wastes also contain many poisonous metals.Even when the machines are recycled and the harmful metals removed,the recycling process often is carried out in poor countries,in practically uncontrolled ways which allow many poisonous substances to escape into the environment.

Creating products out of raw materials creates much more waste material,up to 100 times more,than the material contained in the finished products.Consider again the cell-phone,and imagine the mines that produced those metals,the factories needed to make the box and packaging（包装）it came in.Many wastes produced in the producing process are harmful as well.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency notes that most waste is dangerous in that"the production, distribution,and use of products-as well as management of the resulting waste-all result in greenhouse gas release." Individuals can reduce their contribution by creating less waste at the start-for instance,buying reusable products and recycling.

In many countries the concept of extended producer responsibility is being considered or has been put in place as an incentive（动机）for reducing waste.If producers are required to take back packaging they use to sell their products,would they reduce the packaging in the first place?

Governments' incentive to require producers to take responsibility for the packaging they produce is usually based on money.Why,they ask,should cities or towns be responsible for paying to deal with the bubble wrap（气泡垫）that encased your television?

From the governments' point of view,a primary goal of laws requiring extended producer responsibility is to transfer both the costs and the physical responsibility of waste management from the government and tax-payers back to the producers.

How to Say Short-Term Goodbyes

Knowing when and how to say goodbye is often difficult, even in informal situations. But learning to say goodbye appropriately is a skill that will help you maintain（维持）your relationships. 【小题1】 Read on to learn how to recognize chances when you leave.

Recognize when to leave. When you’re at any kind of party or gathering, or even in a one-on-one conversation, it can be difficult to get away. Learning to recognize good chances to leave will make a short-term goodbye much easier. Notice if the crowd seems to be decreasing. 【小题2】

【小题3】 Overstaying your welcome is rude, but it can often be difficult to distinguish. People don’t like telling you that they’d like you to leave, so try to watch for signals. If the host of a party starts cleaning up, or withdraws from the conversation, gather your friends or belongings and make your exit.

Make plans to see each other again. Even saying “See you at school tomorrow” keeps the goodbye light and focused forward. If you haven’t already made plans, use it as a chance to make them. 【小题4】 Set up a coffee date or meeting for lunch later in the week if it makes the goodbye easier, but don’t promise anything you don’t want to do.

Tell the truth. It can be tempting to come up with a “good excuse” when you’re ready to leave. You don’t need to. 【小题5】 It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

   Ways to get your laughter back Through all my school years, laughter was part of my life. My best friend and I came up with a name for the "really good" laughs. We called them Belly Rolls. That may sound silly, but it is the truth. However, after I realized I had "lost" my laughter, the first thing I thought of was how silly I was going to look and sound.【小题1】. This is how you do it.

【小题2】. It will be a forced laugh. I know it sounds silly, but trust me, if you can't laugh by yourself and be comfortable, it's even harder to laugh in a social situation when you think people are judging you.

Watch only funny programs on TV and at the movies. Be very selective about what you watch.【小题3】. If you cannot give up those programs absolutely, then watch only half an hour of them a day. Give yourself a fighting chance and make it a point to bring laughter into your life.

Invite your friends and family to make it funny! Don't wait too long before you start laughing socially. Ask someone close to you to point out the fun in life. Maybe they can promise to tell a joke to you every day or sit with you during a half-hour situation comedy.【小题4】.

While driving, go over your day and remember everything funny.【小题5】. Not only will this help you laugh more, but it will keep you feeling happy. If you are spending all your time remembering the good times you had for the day, it doesn't leave much time to think negatively！