The United States and China, two of the world’s biggest electronic waste (e-waste) producers, have joined forces to promote the prevention of e-waste through the U.S.-China Green Electronics Competition. Spearheaded by the Future Tense initiative - a partnership of Arizona State University, New America Foundation and Slate magazine - and China's Tsinghua University, the competition invites participants to repurpose yesterday's electronics by using them to repair an existing product, develop a new product or create artwork.

With rapid advances in technology, electronics tend to become obsolete after just a few years. Though approximately 50 million tons of this electronic waste is produced each year, only about 15 to 20 percent is recycled, a cause for significant concern for both human and environmental health. Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives Director Patricia Reiter said, “Supporting the sustainable efforts of preventing e-waste on the international level represents a tremendous opportunity for inspiring innovation and cultural exchange.”