WASTE MANAGEMENT Part A

incineration

the burning of solid waste

landfill

a place where rubbish is buried

recycling

the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects

composting

the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil

biodegradable

able to decay naturally and in a way that is not harmful

single-use

designed to be used once only and then thrown away

reusable

able to be used again

refillable

can be filled again after being empty

disposable

intended to be thrown away after use

a throwaway society

a society in which people do not keep things for very long, preferring single-use and disposable items

to dispose of smth

to get rid of smth

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

the largest accumulation of plastic in the central North Pacific Ocean

a wrapper

a piece of paper, plastic, or other material that covers and protects smth

a food wrap / cling film

a thin polythene material that clings closely to any surface around which it is placed, used for wrapping food (2)

durable

able to last long, strong

lightweight

not heavy

rigid

not flexible, stiff

versatile

able to be used for many different purposes

water-resistant

not allowing water to pass through it easily, or not easily damaged by water

to be overwhelmed by smth

to be bewildered, stunned

to be on one's radar

to be noticed or important for smb

to embark on smth

to start smth new or important

a circular recycling policy / economy

a model of production and consumption, which involves reusing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible (2)

to last beyond smth

to last past a specific point

a recycling facility / centre

a place where garbage can be separated and recycled (2)

a recycling bin

a container for waste that will be recycled, for example, paper or glass

recycling level

the share / percentage of recycled waste in the total amount of disposed materials

to switch out plastic bags for reusable carriers

to replace single-use plastic bags with durable shopping bags

to quit plastic / to go plastic free

to stop using plastic completely

to be second nature to smb

smth you have done so often that you do it almost without thinking