Find e-waste under ‘e’

United States – Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has updated its 11th edition, adding a total of 150 new words to its online database – one of which is ‘e-waste’.

This relatively young term first appeared in 2004, notes Peter Sokolowski, a lexicographer and editor for Merriam-Webster. He has officially defined it as ′waste consisting of discarded electronic products such as computers, televisions and mobile phones′.

Another sustainability-related word to be included is ′freegan′ – in effect, someone who scavenges for free food in store and restaurant bins as a way to reduce consumption of resources, explains Sokolowski. This kind of environmentalism was a ′Lone Ranger′ activity back in 2006 but has ′taken off′ in light of growing resource concerns and ′green′ trends.

For more information, visit: www.merriam-webster.com