Some ways to reduce consumer waste
методическая разработка по английскому языку (9 класс) на тему

                                              Some ways to reduce consumer waste.

The population of the earth is currently just over 7 billion and we generate between 2.5 billion- 4 billion tons of waste every year. The issue of waste is more important now than ever before as western people regularly replace perfectly working electronic goods for new ones. Every day in the U.S. 130,000 computers and 100 million cell phones are thrown away. On average, United States and British citizens throw away over one quarter of the food that they bought.

Some active citizens in Europe lead alternative lifestyles as a reaction to immense consumer waste. The most unusual is freeganism (a combination of the words ‘free’ and ‘vegan’). Foreignism –– is a movement whose devotees take responsibility for their consumer choices and find alternative ways of meeting their everyday needs. Freegan is someone who buys as little as possible and uses recycled or discarded goods in order to reduce waste and environmental impact. Although they are not homeless or unemployed, freegans scavenge in bins for discarded food. This was inspired by Indian people, who don’t waste anything. In my opinion, people could reduce food waste by buying and preparing food in smaller quantities.

One of the biggest costs these days to both our wallets and the environment is transport. Now there are around 200 city bike sharing schemes around the world which let you borrow a bike from a ‘sharing station’ and drop it off at another one. If the destination is too far away to walk or cycle, there is a carpooling scheme ( the arrangement where a group of people take turns to drive each other to work or their children to school).

Another interesting idea is sharing. Many systems like Australia’s “The Sharehold” allow members to see what people who live close to them would like to lend or borrow. People share such things as ladders, power drills and lawnmowers. Also, sharing is a way to get rid of clothes or books you don’t need anymore without just throwing them away.

What is more, there are dozens of Internet sites to help people share, swap or give away reusable ‘stuff’.  For instance, freecycle is a scheme that allows people to donate unwanted items for free to someone else who wants them and is able to reuse them. It not only helps people out but also cuts down on unnecessary waste. People log on to the website in their area or country and leave a message describing what they are offering and where someone can collect it from. Other people read the messages and reply when they see something they need. There are lots of things on offer from old furniture, clothes and books to computer parts and mobile phones.

All in all, these schemes help reduce waste, save sources and keep landfills low.