English for Beginners: Recycling & Sustainability

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, hey! What are you doing with that banana peel?

Bob: Oh, hi Alice! I was just about to put it in… the garbage.

Alice: The garbage? Bob, we have a compost bin! Don’t you remember the big green one?

Bob: Oh, right! The one that smells like… future soil? My bad. I always forget which bin is for what.

Alice: It’s okay. It takes practice! And this plastic bottle? This goes in the blue recycling bin.

Bob: Blue bin, got it. So, green for bananas, blue for bottles… What about this old shoe?

Alice: A shoe? Hmm, that’s tricky. Not recycling, not compost. Maybe donation? Or just regular trash if it’s really broken.

Bob: Sustainability is hard work! My head is spinning with all these rules.

Alice: It’s not that hard. Just think: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Bob: Reduce… my coffee intake? Reuse… this coffee cup for water? Recycle… my socks?

Alice: (Laughs) You’re trying! Reduce means use less new stuff. Reuse means use things again. Like your coffee cup!

Bob: Ah, so my reusable coffee cup is a superhero!

Alice: Exactly! And when you shop, remember your reusable bag. No plastic bags, please!

Bob: Right. Reusable bag… I left mine in the car. Oops.

Alice: It’s a learning process. Every small step helps save the planet.

Bob: So, no more putting glass bottles in the paper recycling bin?

Alice: Definitely not! That’s a big no-no.

Bob: Got it. Green for future soil, blue for plastic, no glass with paper, and my coffee cup is a superhero. I think I’m getting it!

Alice: Good job, Bob! Now, let’s find that compost bin for your banana peel.

Current Situation

Recycling and sustainability are very important today because our planet has a lot of trash. When we recycle, we turn old things into new ones, which saves natural resources and energy. Sustainability means living in a way that helps the Earth for a long time. Many countries have different bins for plastic, paper, glass, and compost. It can be confusing, but every little effort helps reduce pollution and protect nature.

Key Phrases

• Compost bin: A special container for food waste (like banana peels) that turns into rich soil.
  Example: Put your fruit and vegetable scraps in the compost bin.
• Recycling bin: A container for items that can be recycled, like plastic, paper, or glass.
  Example: Don’t forget to put the plastic bottles in the blue recycling bin.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The three main actions for sustainability.
  Example: We should always remember to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to help the environment.
• Reusable bag: A bag you can use many times, instead of single-use plastic bags.
  Example: I always bring my reusable bag when I go to the supermarket.
• Save the planet: To protect Earth from harm and pollution.
  Example: Every small action helps us save the planet.
• Sustainable / Sustainability: Living in a way that protects the environment for the future.
  Example: Learning to recycle is a part of living a more sustainable life.

Grammar Points

1. The Present Simple Tense

We use the Present Simple for:

• Habits and routines: things you do regularly.
• General truths and facts: things that are always true.

Examples from dialogue:

• “I always forget which bin is for what.” (a habit)
• “It takes practice!” (a general truth)

How to form it:

• Positive: Subject + base form of the verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it).
  Examples: I recycle. She recycles.
• Negative: Subject + do/does not + base form of the verb.
  Examples: We do not throw plastic in the garbage. He does not forget.
• Questions: Do/Does + subject + base form of the verb?
  Examples: Do you recycle? Does he remember?

2. Imperatives (Commands/Instructions)

We use imperatives to give orders, advice, or instructions directly.

Examples from dialogue:

• “Don’t you remember…?” (a question used as a reminder/instruction)
• “Just think: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” (advice/instruction)
• “Remember your reusable bag.” (instruction)

How to form it:

• Positive: Use the base form of the verb.
  Examples: Recycle your bottles! Use a reusable bag!
• Negative: Use “Don’t” + base form of the verb.
  Examples: Don’t throw glass with paper! Don’t forget your bag!

3. “Can” for Ability and Possibility

We use “can” to express that something is possible or someone has the ability to do something.

Examples from dialogue:

• “…items that can be recycled…” (possibility)

How to form it:

• Positive: Subject + can + base form of the verb.
  Examples: I can recycle. We can save the planet.
• Negative: Subject + cannot (can’t) + base form of the verb.
  Examples: You cannot put glass with paper. She can’t forget her reusable bag.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the box.

(recycle, reusable, compost, save, plastic)

1. We put old newspapers in the ________ bin.
2. My mom uses a ________ bag for shopping.
3. Please put your banana peel in the ________ bin.
4. It’s important to ________ the planet.
5. Try to use less ________ bottles.

Answers:

1. recycle
2. reusable
3. compost
4. save
5. plastic

Exercise 2: True or False? (Based on the dialogue)

1. Bob knew exactly where to put the banana peel at first. (True/False)
2. Alice told Bob that glass bottles go in the paper recycling bin. (True/False)
3. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a difficult concept for Bob at first. (True/False)
4. Alice says using a reusable coffee cup is a good idea. (True/False)

Answers:

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True

Exercise 3: Answer the questions in full sentences.

1. What are the three main actions for sustainability mentioned by Alice?
2. What does Alice say you should use when you go shopping instead of plastic bags?
3. What is a compost bin used for?

Answers:

1. The three main actions for sustainability are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
2. Alice says you should use a reusable bag when you go shopping.
3. A compost bin is used for food waste like banana peels, which turns into soil.