The Students’ Union

With the development of science and technology, our life is becoming much better and more convenient. However, more garbage and pollution    1    (produce) at the same time, which    2    (lay) a heavy burden on our environment.    3    is known to all, environment plays a vital role in our daily life. In response to the severe situation, we should take effective    4    (measure) to protect the planet where we coexist. It is suggested that we should sort waste    5    (relieve) the situation.

Garbage classification, which is a good way to protect our environment, can’t be overemphasized. It can help separate recyclable waste, which can be    6    (full) used to help save the resources    7    a large degree. Not only can we make our environment clean and beautiful, but also recyclable waste can be made good use of to benefit us in return.

As garbage classification is significant, we should take    8    active part in putting it into practice. It’s a must for    9    (we) to learn to sort waste. It is the little things we do today that have a profound influence on the planet. Only if all of us make joint efforts can we make a big    10    (different) and have a good environment.

5 . “What kind of rubbish are you?” This question might normally cause anger, but in Shanghai it has become a special “greeting” among people over the past week. On July 1, the city introduced strict trash-sorting regulations that are required to follow and expected to be used as a model for our country. Residents must divide their waste into four separate categories and throw it into specific public dustbins. They must do so at regulated times, when monitors are present to ensure correct trash-throwing and to ask the nature of one’s rubbish. Individuals who fail to follow the regulations face the possibility of fines and worse. They could be punished with fines (罚款) of up to 200 yuan (＄29). For those who repeat to go against them, the government can add black marks to their credit records, making it harder for them to get bank loans or even buy train tickets.

Shanghai government is responding to an obvious environmental problem. It generates 9 million tons of garbage a year, more than London’s annual output, which is rising quickly. But like other cities in China, it lacks a recycling system. Instead, it has relied on trash pickers to sift (筛选) through the waste, picking out whatever can be reused. This has limits. As people get wealthier, fewer of them want to do such dirty work. The waste, meanwhile, just keeps piling up.

Many residents appear to support the idea of recycling in general but are annoyed by the details. Rubbish must be divided according to whether it is food, recyclable, dry or harmful, the distinctions among which can be confusing, though there are apps to help work it out. Some have complained about the rules concerning food waste. They must put it straight in the required public bins, forcing them to tear open plastic bags and throw it by hand. What they complain most is the short periods for dropping trash, typically a couple of hours, morning and evening. Along with the monitors at the bins, this means that people go at around the same time and can keep an eye on what is being thrown out. No one wants to look bad.