Pressure increased recently on British supermarkets and retailers to reduce
packaging as part of an anti-waste campaign.(1)___ Britain generates 4.6 million tons of household waste every year by packaging
Dozens of people have expressed anger at the excess of plastic wrapping.
Campaigners have called on Britain to learn from other European countries.2___When returned bottles are put in a vending machine (自动售货机), the deposit is refunded. Environmentalists warn that Britain lags behind in this.
There were reports of growing unease among consumers over the amount of packaging they have to deal with. Trade standards officers also object to excessive packaging.3___
In response to a campaign by Britain's The Independent newspaper, leading supermarkets have pointed to various initiatives to win the public confidence. 4___
But campaigners said retailers and the government could learn much from anti-waste practices on the Continent. In Sweden, non-recyclable batteries have been taxed since 1991 to encourage a switch to alternatives.5___in Germany, plastic bags are unheard of in supermarkets and deposits are paid for reusable plastic and glass beverage bottles.
A In Belgium, when you buy something in a plastic or glass container, you make a deposit.
B This is because too much padding can give buyers a false impression of what they are buying.
C This has resulted in a 74 percent reduction in sales.
D Tesco said it was saving 112,000 tons of cardboard a year by switching to reusable plastic crates (装货箱) for transporting its fresh produce.
E The campaign was initiated by The Independent newspaper.
F If a product is over-packaged, don't buy it.
G The campaign was lose.