1    (handle) the widespread use and environmental damage caused by single-use plastics,   a Chinese research institute has proposed developing new technologies    2    using a more eco-friendly substitute-bamboo. The proposal,    3    (announce)on Thursday by the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, comes after the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative introduced at the High-level Dialogue on Global Development held     4     (virtual) in Beijing in June.

Fei Benhua, director of the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, said bamboo-straw manufacturing technology could be realized and used to replace plastic straws on     5    large scale,    6    (add) that using bamboo to make straws is just the beginning.

The world makes nearly 400 million metric tons of plastic every year for use in packaging, construction, catering and other    7    (purpose), and China’s delivery industry annually     8    (produce) about 1.8 million tons of plastic waste. A sharp rise in single-use plastics,     9    are produced almost entirely from fossil fuels, has damaged the well-being of the planet. Bamboo, on the other hand, can be used to produce cups, straws, paper and packaging, while being     10    (recycle) and environmentally friendly.

Many people don’t think twice about dropping litter, believing it     1     (harm) due to its small size. However, in today’s world, this     2     (assume) is proven wrong. With the increasing use of plastic bags and the rise in smokers, litter production has surged. Cigarette butts, despite their size, harm the environment greatly.     3     (globe), around 4.3 trillion cigarette butts are discarded annually. These butts not only spoil the environment’s beauty but also contain toxic     4     (chemical), polluting water sources and     5     (endanger) wildlife. They can take up     6     25 years to decompose, posing a significant threat due to the large quantity     7     (litter). Plastic bags, easily carried by wind and water, travel long distances, reaching rivers, parks, beaches, and oceans,     8     they harm countless animals each year and can persist for hundreds of years. Charging for plastic bags and promoting reusable alternatives can mitigate their impact. Ultimately, preventing litter altogether and reducing plastic bag usage is crucial for environmental preservation.