Waste not, want not

Disposing of the rubbish we produce everyday is a major problem in cities around the
world. In Britain, 85% of waste is disposed of by landfill, a system which is supposed
to lower pollution, since waste is buried in the ground. This method is far from
perfect, however, and finding new areas is becoming difficult. Recycling is an
increasingly popular way of getting rid of waste, and in Britain a target of recycling
half of all domestic recyclable waste has been set for the year 2010.

A city that has solved its waste disposal problem in an unusual way is Machida, in
Japan. They have developed a totally new approach to waste disposal. The key to the
operation is public co-operation. Families must divide their rubbish into six
categories:
1. rubbish that can be easily burnt (combustible), such as kitchen and garden
waste.
2. non-combustible rubbish such as small electric appliances, plastic tools and
plastic toys.
3. products that are toxic or that cause pollution, such as batteries.
4. bottles and glass containers that can be recycled.
5. metal containers that can be recycled.
6. large items such as furniture and bicycles.

The items in categories 1 – 5 are collected on different days. (Large items are only
collected on request). Then the rubbish is taken to a center that looks like a clean new
office building or hospital. Inside, special equipment is used to sort and process the
waste. Almost everything can be reused: garden or kitchen waste becomes fertilizer;
combustible items are burnt to produce electricity, metal containers and bottles are
recycled; and old furniture, clothing and other useful items are cleaned, repaired and
sold cheaply or given away. The work provides employment for disabled people and
gives them an opportunity to learn new skills.

Nowadays, officials from cities around the world visit Machida to see whether they
can use some of these ideas and techniques to solve their own waste disposal
problems.

I. COMPREHENSION:
(15 points)
Base your answers on the text.

A. Are these sentences true or false? Justify.

(3pts)
1. The British bury all their waste in the ground.
2. In Machida, old furniture is gathered at weekends.
3. Other countries show no interest in the Japanese system.
B. Answer these questions: (3
pts)
1. What are the British planning to do by the end of the first decade of this
century?
2. How do the inhabitants of Machida contribute to the new system of waste
disposal?
3. How does the new recycling system treat large items?
C. Pick out from the text a phrase or sentence which shows that: (2
pts)
1. Burying waste in the ground isn’t a successful way to get rid of it.
2. The handicapped people benefit from the Japanese recycling system.
D. What do the underlined words in the text refer to: (3
pts)
1. its (paragraph 2): ………
2. they (paragraph 2): ………
3. they (paragraph 4): ………
E. Find in the text words meaning the same as: (4
pts)
1. reduce (paragraph 1): ………… 3. poisonous
(paragraph 2): ………….
2. technique / method (paragraph 2): …………… 4. chance
(paragraph 3)