Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a landfill
    • ex. Different waste, such as glass and plastic, goes into landfills.
  2. reduction
    • ex. Recycling is important for the reduction of garbage pollution.
  3. compost
    • ex. It's better to compost fruit and vegetable wastes instead of throwing them in the garbage.
  4. an advocate
    • ex. There are many advocates who are looking for solutions to global warming.
  5. coordinate
    • ex. We regularly coordinate with other departments to plan projects successfully.

Article

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

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The United States is looking for solutions to food waste. Many states consider food waste a huge problem because 63 million tons of food becomes waste worldwide. One-third of all food is wasted worldwide. But in the U.S., 40% of food goes to landfills and it costs $218 billion (more than ¥32 trillion) yearly.

In 2015, the US Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency announced a goal of 50% food waste reduction by 2030. Following this goal, New York began requiring big businesses to donate food and recycle food. Other states made rules to reduce, compost, or donate waste. All 50 states made laws to protect people who give away food.

Despite the success of some states, a few advocates are worried that it’s not enough to meet the goal. Others are asking for a national effort to coordinate actions and policies. Emily Broad Leib, director of Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, said there should be a clear plan to achieve the goal. Professor Kathryn Bender of the University of Delaware said the best solution to food waste is to not have it at all.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Food Waste

  • In your opinion, is food waste a problem in your country? Why do you think so? Discuss.
  • What can you do to reduce food waste at home (ex. don’t buy too much food, compost food that’s left)? Discuss.
  • Professor Kathryn Bender said that the best solution to food waste is to not have it at all. Do you think it’s possible to stop wasting food? Why or why not? Discuss.

Goals of Food Waste Reduction

  • The United States’ goal is a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030. Do you think this goal is reasonable? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Why do you think the U.S. set a goal of 50% food waste reduction? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, should your country also have a goal to reduce food waste? Why do you think so? Discuss.