綠色和平組織的一項研究發現，隨著英國超市的塑料消耗量升至90萬噸，可重複使用的環保購物袋（bags for life）去年的銷量增至15億個。該組織現在呼籲人們採取更多行動來減少塑料垃圾。
Environmental groups say we should really call them 『bags for a week』 because we use so many of them. Greenpeace and another campaign group, The Environmental Investigation Agency, monitor plastic usage by the supermarkets on an annual basis.
環保組織稱，我們其實應把環保購物袋改稱為「一周環保袋」，因為使用量太大。綠色和平組織與另一家提倡環境保護的組織，英國環境調查機構，逐年密切關注超市的塑料使用量。
Their latest report says that although fewer traditional flimsy carrier bags are being sold, the use of 『bags for life』 has risen by 30% since last year - one reason why the use of plastics overall by the supermarkets is still rising. Most retailers charge between 10 and 30 pence for the bags. Sainsbury's has recently doubled its charge to 20 pence.
他們的最新報告稱，雖然傳統薄的購物袋的銷量有所下降，但自去年以來，可重複使用的環保購物袋的消耗量卻增長了30%，這也是超市塑膠袋使用仍在上升的原因之一。大多數零售商的塑膠袋售價在10到30便士之間。英國森寶利超市（Sainsbury’s）最近將價格提高了一倍，每個袋子賣20便士。
The supermarkets say they are aware of the problem and are trying to address it. Lidl for example, is piloting a scheme in Wales to stop selling the bags. It will be rolled out across the UK if it's a success.
各超市表示，他們已經意識到並正在努力解決這個問題。比如，利德超市（Lidl）正在威爾斯地區試行一項停止出售這類塑膠袋的計劃。如果該計劃成功，則將在全英推廣。
詞彙campaign group 提倡特定理念的組織
monitor 密切關注
flimsy 薄的，易破的
bags for life 可重複使用的環保購物袋
address 處理，解決
piloting 試行
rolled out 推廣或實行（新規定、制度）
1. How many times a year do the environmental groups monitor plastic usage by supermarkets?
2. What is one of the reasons why the use of plastic by supermarkets is rising?
3. True or false? Supermarket chain, Lidl is rolling out a successful scheme across the UK to stop selling 『bags for life』.
4. What type of bags are supermarkets selling less of?
答案1. How many times a year do the environmental groups monitor plastic usage by supermarkets?
Greenpeace and another campaign group, The Environmental Investigation Agency, monitor plastic usage by the supermarkets on an annual basis – so once a year.
2. What is one of the reasons why the use of plastic by supermarkets is rising?
One suggested reason is the use of 『bags for life』 has risen by 30% since last year.
3. True or false? Supermarket chain, Lidl is rolling out a successful scheme across the UK to stop selling 『bags for life』.
False. Lidl is piloting a scheme in Wales to stop selling the bags. It will be rolled out across the UK only if it's a success.
4. What type of bags are supermarkets selling less of?
Fewer traditional flimsy carrier bags are being sold.