Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- ubiquitous /yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs/
- throwaway /THROH-uh-wey/
- sustainable /suh-STEY-nuh-buhl/
- put to the test /poot-too-thuh-test/
- initiative /ih-NISH-uh-tiv/
[adjective] – seeming to be everywhere
Apple products are ubiquitous in the city.
[adjective] – made to be destroyed after use
I don’t use throwaway containers as much as possible.
[adjective] – causing, or made in a way that causes, little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time
The community leaders will be meeting to discuss sustainable solutions.
[idiom] – to find out how good something is
His strength was put to the test during the competition.
[noun] – a new plan or process to achieve something or solve a problem
H&M’s environmental initiatives are admirable.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Starbucks is set to eliminate paper cups by 2025. The coffee giant plans to let customers use their own personal mugs in the United States and Canada by the end of 2022. The goal, for now, is not to completely get rid of the disposable cups, but to make that option less attractive to customers. “Our cup is ubiquitous, and we love that,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer. “But it is also this ubiquitous symbol of a throwaway society.” Starbucks also plans to test a borrow-a-cup program, in which customers pay a deposit for a durable cup that they take with them and drop back off after use.
The product experience team at Starbucks also developed a new sustainable cup that is lightweight polypropylene, recyclable, and could replace 100 single-use disposable cups. The cup was put to the test in a Starbucks store in Seattle where customers paid a $1 deposit and had to return the cup to a smart bin located in the store to get their dollar back. They also earned rewards for using the cup. According to Kim Davis, the store’s manager, customers were curious about the bin, and once baristas explained it to them, many were willing to try the initiative. But that model is still in its testing phase, so the company wants to explore and introduce other ways of reusing mugs. “The team is trying different things, over and over again, to figure out what might work,” said Amelia Landers, vice president of product experience at Starbucks.
The product experience team at Starbucks also developed a new sustainable cup that is lightweight polypropylene, recyclable, and could replace 100 single-use disposable cups. The cup was put to the test in a Starbucks store in Seattle where customers paid a $1 deposit and had to return the cup to a smart bin located in the store to get their dollar back. They also earned rewards for using the cup. According to Kim Davis, the store’s manager, customers were curious about the bin, and once baristas explained it to them, many were willing to try the initiative. But that model is still in its testing phase, so the company wants to explore and introduce other ways of reusing mugs. “The team is trying different things, over and over again, to figure out what might work,” said Amelia Landers, vice president of product experience at Starbucks.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Describe your country’s coffee culture.
- What are some ways you can help the environment?
- If you were a member of Starbucks’ product experience team, what idea would you propose to help Starbucks achieve its zero-disposable-cups goal?
- Should all Starbucks stores around the world adopt the borrow-a-cup program?
- In your opinion, why is sustainability important in business?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- eliminate
- giant
- personal
- reward
- curious