Coke knows that its soda caps often end up as litter. So it’s trying to solve the problem by tethering them to the bottle, at least in the United Kingdom. Earlier this week, the company announced that it has started using a new version of plastic bottles. These bottles feature an attached cap, a design that is supposed to make it easier to recycle the whole package at once—and keep caps out of the trash.

Plastic bottles of Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper should all have attached caps by early 2024, the company said. “This is a small change that will have a big impact, ensuring that when consumers recycle our bottles, no cap gets left behind,” said Jon Woods in a statement Tuesday.

Plastic waste is a major environmental problem. Plastics break down into microplastics that make their way into the air and ocean, harming marine life. They can end up in our food or lungs, potentially leading to health problems. It’s also a big public relations problem for companies like Coke. When the company’s bottles or caps end up on beaches, consumers recognize them as Coke products, spoiling the good opinion people have of the brand. As a result, more firms are taking steps to try to reduce their waste.

Companies have more to worry about than their reputations—there’s also the threat of government regulations. The European Union, for example, is requiring that caps be attached to some plastic bottles as part of its directive on single-use plastics. Companies have until the end of 2024 to comply(遵从).

Coke’s latest move in the UK is part of its global “World Without Waste” initiative, which lays out a 2030 goal of helping to collect and recycle empty bottles or cans for each one the company sells. It also plans to make its cans and bottles with 50% recycled material by 2030, and to make packaging 100% recyclable by 2025.

本时文内容由奇速英语国际教育研究院原创编写，未经书面授权，禁止复制和任何商业用途，版权所有，侵权必究！（作者投稿及时文阅读定制请联系微信：18980471698）

1.What is the character of Coke’s new bottles?

A They will not cause any pollution.

B The whole package often ends up as litter.

C They’re made of eco-friendly plastic.

D The caps can stay connected to the bottles.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句的“These bottles feature an attached cap, a design that is supposed to make it easier to recycle the whole package at once”可知，新的设计是瓶盖和瓶身不能分开。故选D。

2.What does Jon Woods think of the change?

A It is unnecessary.

B It is significant.

C It is rewarding.

D It is profitable.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第二段第二句的“This is a small change that will have a big impact”可知，他认为瓶盖的改变产生巨大的影响。故选B。

3.How does the plastic waste affect companies like Coke?

A It becomes a major environmental problem.

B It can bring them financial problems.

C It does damage to their reputations.

D It causes health problems to consumers.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据第三段倒数第二句的“consumers recognize them as Coke products, spoiling the good opinion people have of the brand.”可知，被胡乱丢弃的瓶盖会对可口可乐这类公司的声誉造成伤害。故选C。

4.What will Coke do with its bottles in the UK?

A It will concentrate more on helping the poor.

B It will use materials that could be recycled.

C It will comply with government regulations.

D It will make its own directive rules on its bottles.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据最后一段最后一句可知可口可乐将在英国使用可以循环的材料来制作饮料瓶子。故选B。