In Many Countries People Are Living In A “Throwaway Society”

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.

In many countries people are living in a “throwaway society” where things are used for a short time and thrown away

What are the causes of this and what problems does it lead to?


Sample Answer:

Nowadays, we are living in a throwaway society, where people tend to use things for a short time before throwing them away. This essay will discuss the causes of this phenomenon and the issues it causes.

The primary factor that has led to the emergence of this practice is an excessive reliance on convenience. For example, people are often reluctant to spend time fixing a broken appliance and instead opt to purchase a new one, as this is the easier option. Similarly, many people would rather purchase a new piece of clothing rather than repairing a damaged item. This is due to the availability of cheap items, as well as the ease of access to goods. In addition, the abundance of advertisements promoting the benefits of owning particular goods has led to people being more likely to indulge in unnecessary purchases.

Another factor that may contribute to this trend is the lack of awareness of the environmental damage caused by this practice. People may not be aware that disposing of items in landfill sites has a negative impact on the environment. This is because the items take a long time to decompose, leading to the build-up of toxins and pollutants. Moreover, the production of new goods requires natural resources such as water and energy, which have a negative effect on the environment.

This throwaway culture has a number of adverse effects. Firstly, it leads to a significant amount of waste, as people are often quick to discard items without considering whether they can be reused. This has a detrimental effect on the environment, as the aforementioned pollutants and toxins accumulate in landfill sites. Furthermore, it places a strain on the economy, as people are more likely to purchase goods rather than repair them. This means that businesses are likely to make more money from the sale of new goods than from the repair of old ones. Finally, it can lead to an increase in crime, as people may be tempted to steal items that they would not be able to afford to buy.

In conclusion, the throwaway culture has been caused by a reliance on convenience and a lack of awareness of the environmental damage caused by this practice. This has resulted in a number of serious problems, such as an increase in waste and crime, as well as a strain on the economy. It is therefore essential that awareness of these issues is raised so that people are encouraged to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.