Many people want the latest technology, but they do not need it. Some may get a new cell phone each time a company releases a new model, while others only get a new phone if their old one does not function properly anymore. The people who buy a new phone or MP3 player each time a new one is released probably do not understand that cell phone production causes environmental impacts. Three and a half billion people on Earth own a cell phone, which is approximately half the world's population. To produce a phone it takes lead, nickel, and beryllium to make the circuit board; mercury for the screen; and nickel, cadmium, and lithium for the battery. These billions of people only use their phones for 12-18 months, and buy new phones after this time is up. To replace a phone less than every two years creates a lot of waste and uses up a lot of the Earth's resources. To conserve the resources used in cell phones people can cut down on their technology purchases and make the most out of what they already have.

I agree with you about electronics being a want. Its outrages that people buy new phones about every year and a half, causing waste. The fact huge amounts of minerals going to waste just so people can update their electronics when its not needed is crazy. Hopefully in these coming years we will create electronics that are eco friendly or not waste electronics as often as now.