Theme: Politics & Economics
Topic: The Circular Economy.
Listen to the podcast episode here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/6-minute-english/ep-200305
Comprehension Questions
- According to Alexandre Lemille, why is recycling not the complete answer to waste management?
- What phrase does Sam mention that describes how people tend to ignore waste once it’s been collected?
- What is the main concept of a “circular economy” as explained in the podcast?
- In a circular economy, who retains responsibility for the lifecycle of a product?
- According to the podcast, what potential effect might a circular economy have on how manufacturers design their products?
Note down useful words and phrases you could use in the discussion.
Discussion Questions
Think about your answers to these questions:
- How might our approach to waste management change if manufacturers were fully responsible for their products’ entire lifecycle?
- Is the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality toward waste a psychological barrier we need to overcome, and if so, how?
- Would you pay more for products designed to be repaired rather than replaced? What might influence your decision?
- How might cities and communities need to transform if we shifted from recycling-focused waste management to a true circular economy?
- What role should government regulation play in transitioning from our current economic model to a more circular one?
Note down follow-up questions you could ask in the discussion.
Extension
For extra listening practice listen to this interview:
The Circular Economy: A Simple Explanation
Example Answers
Listen to the audio here:
- In what ways might sustained inflation change consumer behaviour and business practices long-term?
1. How might our approach to waste management change if manufacturers were fully responsible for their products’ entire lifecycle?
“I think everything would change if companies had to take back their products. They’d suddenly care a lot more about making things that last or can be easily fixed. Look at how many products are impossible to repair now – that would stop right away. Companies would probably design things to be taken apart easily and avoid using materials that can’t be recycled. We might even see them leasing products instead of selling them, kind of like how some companies rent out office printers rather than selling them. That way, they keep control of their materials. It would flip our whole system around – waste would become a design problem, not just an inevitable result of buying stuff.”
2. Is the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality toward waste a psychological barrier we need to overcome, and if so, how?
“It’s definitely a barrier. Once we put something in a bin, we feel like our job is done and don’t think about where it goes next. We need to make waste more visible. Some places have clear bins in public so people can see how much waste builds up. I think we also need better education about what happens after collection day. Most people have no idea where their rubbish or recycling actually goes. Some towns charge people based on how much waste they throw away, which makes people pay attention pretty quickly. Until we connect our buying habits with the waste we create, nothing will really change.”
3. Would you pay more for products designed to be repaired rather than replaced? What might influence your decision?
“I’d pay more upfront if I knew it would save me money over time. For big purchases like my laptop or washing machine? Absolutely. For something cheap I rarely use? Probably not. The price difference matters too – I’m not paying double, but maybe 20% more seems reasonable for something that lasts twice as long. I’d need to trust the company will actually honour their repair promises and not make it a hassle. And repairs need to be convenient – if I have to ship something across the country or wait weeks, that’s a problem. I think it also depends on how attached I am to the item. For things I use every day, I’d rather repair than replace.”
4. How might cities and communities need to transform if we shifted from recycling-focused waste management to a true circular economy?
“Cities would look really different. We might have neighbourhood repair centres where you could get anything fixed, and community workshops where people share tools and skills. Instead of just recycling centres, we’d have places where products get taken apart and reused. We’d need different collection systems – maybe separate pickups for different types of products, not just materials. Food waste would be composted locally and used in community gardens. Public buildings would be designed with spaces for collecting and sorting items for reuse. Schools would teach repair skills as part of the curriculum. The whole mindset would shift from “how do we get rid of this stuff” to “how do we keep these materials in use.”
5. What role should government regulation play in transitioning from our current economic model to a more circular one?
“Government needs to level the playing field. Right now, it’s cheaper to make wasteful products because companies don’t pay for the environmental damage. Smart regulations could change that – requiring companies to take back their products, banning planned obsolescence, or taxing virgin materials more than recycled ones. Government purchasing is huge – if they only bought repairable, recyclable products, it would transform markets overnight. They could fund research into better design and recycling technology too. But regulations need to be practical. Small businesses need help adapting, not just new rules they can’t afford to follow. The best approach combines clear rules with financial incentives that make circular options the profitable choice for businesses.”