In the last decade, scientists have been going back and forth on one question: does recycling really help the environment? The conclusion at which they have arrived seems to be: yes, it does. However, experts warn that our efforts should not stop there. While recycling is an important part of the solution, it is not necessarily the most important factor. Therefore, I disagree that recycling is the key to a sustainable (可持续的) future.

Compared to other methods to save the earth, recycling is a much smaller player. According to a recent study, the twenty top petrochemical (石化) companies in the world are responsible for 55% of the world’s single-use plastics, most of which are practically impossible to recycle. This means that asking these major polluters to take responsibility for their harm to the environment would do much more than if every one of us recycled our waste. In addition, a dependence on recycling can take attention away from reducing and reusing, which are more effective in lowering emissions (排放) and in turn helping to create a sustainable future. Therefore, it would do us a lot of good if we focus on these other high-priority solutions rather than simply recycling.

Recycling supporters may argue that recycling is indeed the key to a sustainable future because it helps save a lot of energy by taking what already exists and changing it into something new. While it is true that recycling is a valuable tool in the fight against climate change, it is not the key. Regrettably, it alone is not sufficient. So, while we should continue recycling, we need to go further by taking other actions for our planet.

To conclude, I disagree that recycling is the key to a sustainable future. Having said that, recycling is still beneficial. It is but a small part of an interconnected web of solutions, which on its own can not accomplish much, but together with other efforts, can create a sustainable future for all.

【小题1】Why does the author write this article?

A．To raise a question.	B．To explain a rule.
C．To present a solution.	D．To express an idea.

【小题2】Which of the following belongs to “other actions” in the Paragraph 3?

A．Stopping using plastics.	B．Individuals recycling their waste.
C．Using fewer high-emission cars.	D．Changing used things into something new.

【小题3】Why is recycling not that important according to the author?

A．It can only save 45% of the energy people need.

B．It does not help with protecting the environment.

C．It stops major polluters from taking responsibility.

D．It plays a small and limited part in sustaining the earth.

【小题4】What is the key to a sustainable future according to the author?

A．Combined efforts of all the solutions.

B．More and more people joining in recycling.

C．Reducing and reusing of single-use plastics.

D．Asking petrochemical companies to be responsible.