Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. refill
    • ex. The waiter came back to refill our drinks.
  2. refillable
    • ex. I brought a refillable water bottle to reduce plastic waste.
  3. reusable
    • ex. She brought a reusable bag to the supermarket.
  4. single-use
    • ex. Maya avoids buying single-use products.
  5. hygiene
    • ex. The restaurant follows strict hygiene rules.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Refilling a bottle instead of throwing it away has become a popular way to reduce waste. At stores like Lufka Refillable Zero Waste in Tampa, customers bring reusable containers to refill them with soap, shampoo, and cleaning products. This helps reduce single-use packaging. Containers are weighed before and after filling, and shoppers pay only for the amount added.

Many customers say refilling feels satisfying because they can make a small positive change. Some people have used the same bottles for years. In the past, many products, such as milk and soda, were sold in refillable containers. However, businesses later moved to single-use packaging because it was cheaper and easier to manage.

Today, more people are interested in reducing waste. Some large brands now offer refillable options or collect empty containers for cleaning and reuse. However, refill systems still make up a small part of the market. They face challenges, including strict hygiene rules and the cost of collecting and cleaning containers. Experts say refill programs can help, but their impact depends on how widely they are used and what types of packaging they replace.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Stores’ Refilling Programs

  • These days, there are more stores that have refilling programs. How common are these kinds of stores in your area/country? Discuss.
  • Many customers say that refilling allows them to make a small positive change. How important do you think these small positive changes are? Discuss.
  • If you had a store, how would you encourage buyers to use refillable containers when buying from your business? Discuss.

Reducing Waste

  • How much waste do you see in your community, and does it bother you? Discuss.
  • Do you think reusing items is better than recycling them? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Today, there is a new interest in reuse as part of efforts to reduce waste. Why do you think it is important to reuse items? Discuss.