Example for Grade 6: Argumentative – Clean Communities - ID: 5064

Recycling- the process of using items over and over again, and not throwing them away. Recycling is an extrememly important matter in our community today, especially in technology. Companies such as Apple and Samsung create new and improved inventions for everyday uses. Because of this, some people just throw away used electronics even if they are still working, which basically means they are not recycling. Throwing away electronics and not recycling them can contaminate water with lead for instance, and would result in poisonous water. Remember, animals drink water too, and as a result, it would contaminate them too. In addition, old computer parts could actually make new computers, in which people could buy them for a cheaper price. For the upcoming school service project, our school should host a technology recycling day because it would teach them that throwing away electronics actually hurts us and animals, it would be safer, and benefit our community.
First, hosting a technology recycling day would be a better option than to adopt a highway because it would show them how they are affecting our community and others. In other words, it would teach them that throwing away electronics actually hurts us and animals. Some people may not think that recycling electronics is not a big issue, when it really is. In “Tech-Trash Tragedy,” by Liam O’ Donnell, it states, “Each year we throw away millions of computers….That is not good news for the environment” (O’ Donnell). This would teach them that by throwing away technology, it contaminates our waters, earth, and air over a long distance. Therefore, it would harm us and animals because we would not have clean water to drink. In addition, recycling computers would benefit other schools too. For example, sometimes, even after fundraisers, schools do not have enough money to provide computers for each classroom, or even buy a set. In “Tech-Trash Tragedy,” it says, “Places like schools and centers are often short on money, but need computers to help them get things done….” (O’ Donnell). There is actually a solution: recycling computers. Old computer parts can actually help make new ones, in which people could also purchase them for a cheaper price. As a result, students would learn that recycling technology would benefit their schools, and would possibly spread this news to others, including family members. Therefore, holding a technology recycling day would be a better option because it would show students that throwing away electronics actually harms us and animals.
Second, this choice would be better than to empty a highway of litter because it would be safer. For example, if a child gets hurt while picking up trash while in the school’s care, the parents would be able to sue us and we would lose money. However, the children are not only the important thing. Some parents might not be comfortable sending their child into a highway without them. For instance, someone could kidnap them and drive off, or something even worse could happen. I do not think we should take the chances of risking students’ lives just to pick up litter. Even though in “Keep Our Roadsides Beautiful” it states, “But what can we do?” (Keep Our Roadsides Beautiful), I still do not think we should take the chances and should go with the idea of having a technology recycling day.
Third, this would benefit many communities, including ours. In “Tech-Trash Tragedy,” it states, “But who wants a computer made up of old parts? A lot of people, actually” (O’ Donnell). Some families like certain schools do not have the money to buy brand new computers. Recycling computers would help other families in need of computers financially. This choice will not only help needy families, but also help spread it all around to our community. In Source #4, it states, “Big problem call for big solutions, so adults and kids from dozens of countries are working hard too clean up our e-waste” (O’ Donnell). This proves that we need many people to reduce this problem in our community, and if the word that electronic recycling improves our world, it will likely be a success in our community. However, this would also benefit many other communities, not just ours. People will catch on that discarding electronics harms us and animals from various sources, and if recycling electronics occurs in all communities, our whole world would benefit.
Overall, for this upcoming school event, having a school technology recycling day would be a much better path to take because it would teach students what discarding electronics does to us and animals, it would be safer, and it would benefit many communities. Electronic recycling is a huge, and major problem in our world and evryone needs to take part and help our communities fix it. It might take a while for everyone to participate, but it is better to have some people to do it than no one. Many people may disagree with my choice, but I believe this is the best decision is the best way to go in this matter. I hope this is effective in your decision and for the upcoming school event, and please consider this in your choice.