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.
环保组织称，我们其实应把环保购物袋改称为“一周环保袋”，因为使用量太大。绿色和平组织与另一家提倡环境保护的组织，英国环境调查机构，逐年密切关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.
他们的最新报告称，虽然传统薄的购物袋的销量有所下降，但自去年以来，可重复使用的环保购物袋的消耗量却增长了30%，这也是超市塑料袋使用仍在上升的原因之一。大多数零售商的塑料袋售价在10到30便士之间。英国森宝利超市（Sainsbury’s）最近将价格提高了一倍，每个袋子卖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，他们已经意识到并正在努力解决这个问题。比如，利德超市（Lidl）正在威尔士地区试行一项停止出售这类塑料袋的计划。如果该计划成功，则将在全英推广。
词汇
campaign group 提倡特定理念的组织
monitor 密切关注
flimsy 薄的，易破的
bags for life 可重复使用的环保购物袋
address 处理，解决
piloting 试行
rolled out 推广或实行（新规定、制度）
阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题 。
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.
