What environmental harm does digital technology cause, and how can it be reduced?
The environmental impacts of digital technology, including energy consumption, the resources used to make devices, electronic waste (e-waste), and reuse and recycling.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the environmental impacts of digital technology: energy consumption, the resources used to manufacture devices, electronic waste (e-waste), and how reuse and recycling reduce the harm.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to describe the environmental impacts of digital technology: the energy it consumes, the resources used to manufacture devices, electronic waste (e-waste), and how reuse and recycling reduce the harm. "Describe two environmental impacts" and "explain e-waste and how to reduce it" are recurring questions.
Energy consumption
Manufacturing and resources
Electronic waste (e-waste)
Try this
Q1. State one environmental impact of digital technology. [1 mark]
- Cue. High energy consumption (or e-waste, or the resources used to manufacture devices).
Q2. State what e-waste is. [1 mark]
- Cue. Electronic waste: discarded electronic devices, which contain harmful materials.
Q3. Give one way the environmental impact of e-waste can be reduced. [1 mark]
- Cue. Recycle devices (or reuse/refurbish them, or repair rather than replace).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas Component 1, 20224 marksDescribe two environmental impacts of digital technology.Show worked answer →
Award up to two marks each for two impacts described.
Energy consumption: devices, networks and especially data centres use large amounts of electricity, much of it still generated from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions.
Electronic waste (e-waste): old or discarded devices are thrown away in huge quantities; they contain harmful materials that can pollute land and water if not disposed of properly.
Also valid: the resources and energy used to manufacture devices, including mining for rare metals. Markers reward two clearly described impacts, not one impact stated twice.
Eduqas Component 1, 20233 marksExplain what is meant by e-waste and describe one way its environmental impact can be reduced.Show worked answer →
E-waste (up to 2 marks): electronic waste, the discarded electronic devices (computers, phones, tablets) thrown away in large quantities; it contains toxic materials (such as lead and mercury) that can harm the environment if sent to landfill.
Reducing the impact (1 mark): recycle devices so their materials are recovered and reused; refurbish and reuse working devices; or repair rather than replace, extending a device's life.
Markers reward a clear definition of e-waste and a concrete way to reduce it (recycle, reuse or repair).
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE Computer Science specification (from 2016) — Eduqas (2020)