This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of responsibility for plastic packaging from the real exam.

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IELTS Essay: Responsibility for Plastic Packaging

Some people think the manufacturers and shopping malls should sell fewer packaged products while others argue that people have the responsibility to buy products with less packaging.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

The issue of excessive packaging has sparked debate regarding the responsibility for its reduction. While some argue that corporations and retailers should lead by selling fewer packaged items, others contend that the onus lies on consumers to make conscious choices.

Advocates for reducing packaging assert that manufacturers and shopping malls have the most significant role in addressing this issue. For instance, manufacturers can enforce sustainable packaging practices by using biodegradable and recyclable materials, such as compostable plastics or cardboard. They can also employ innovative packaging designs that minimize materials while ensuring product safety. Relatedly, shopping malls can collaborate with manufacturers to establish refill stations, where customers can bring their own containers and refill products like detergents, spices, or personal care items, reducing the need for excessive packaging. By taking these initiatives, those who sell consumer products can effectively reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

On the other hand, proponents of consumer responsibility emphasize that individuals have the power to drive change through their purchasing decisions. Consumers should actively seek out products with minimal packaging, such as bulk foods, where items are sold in loose quantities, allowing customers to bring their own containers. They can also support businesses that offer alternatives to single-use packaging, such as stores that provide reusable bags or incentivize customers to employ reusable bags. These lifestyle changes may also involve actively participating in recycling programs and supporting initiatives that promote waste reduction, such as community composting or zero-waste campaigns. Truly dedicated individuals can even join local environmental groups or online communities to share tips and strategies.

In conclusion, the reduction of packaged products necessitates effort from primarily consumers. Through specific actions like seeking out minimal packaging options, and supporting businesses with sustainable practices, consumers can collectively contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Analysis

1. The issue of excessive packaging has sparked debate regarding the responsibility for its reduction. 2. While some argue that corporations and retailers should lead by selling fewer packaged items, others contend that the onus lies on consumers to make conscious choices.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Advocates for reducing packaging assert that manufacturers and shopping malls have the most significant role in addressing this issue. 2. For instance, manufacturers can enforce sustainable packaging practices by using biodegradable and recyclable materials, such as compostable plastics or cardboard. 3. They can also employ innovative packaging designs that minimize materials while ensuring product safety. 4. Relatedly, shopping malls can collaborate with manufacturers to establish refill stations, where customers can bring their own containers and refill products like detergents, spices, or personal care items, reducing the need for excessive packaging. 5. By taking these initiatives, those who sell consumer products can effectively reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Add in as much detail as possible.

1. On the other hand, proponents of consumer responsibility emphasize that individuals have the power to drive change through their purchasing decisions. 2. Consumers should actively seek out products with minimal packaging, such as bulk foods, where items are sold in loose quantities, allowing customers to bring their own containers. 3. They can also support businesses that offer alternatives to single-use packaging, such as stores that provide reusable bags or incentivize customers to employ reusable bags. 4. These lifestyle changes may also involve actively participating in recycling programs and supporting initiatives that promote waste reduction, such as community composting or zero-waste campaigns. 5. Truly dedicated individuals can even join local environmental groups or online communities to share tips and strategies.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Use really concrete examples.

1. In conclusion, the reduction of packaged products necessitates effort from primarily consumers. 2. Through specific actions like seeking out minimal packaging options, and supporting businesses with sustainable practices, consumers can collectively contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The issue of excessive packaging has sparked debate regarding the responsibility for its reduction. While some argue that corporations and retailers should lead by selling fewer packaged items, others contend that the onus lies on consumers to make conscious choices.

Advocates for reducing packaging assert that manufacturers and shopping malls have the most significant role in addressing this issue. For instance, manufacturers can enforce sustainable packaging practices by using biodegradable and recyclable materials, such as compostable plastics or cardboard. They can also employ innovative packaging designs that minimize materials while ensuring product safety. Relatedly, shopping malls can collaborate with manufacturers to establish refill stations, where customers can bring their own containers and refill products like detergents, spices, or personal care items, reducing the need for excessive packaging. By taking these initiatives, those who sell consumer products can effectively reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.

On the other hand, proponents of consumer responsibility emphasize that individuals have the power to drive change through their purchasing decisions. Consumers should actively seek out products with minimal packaging, such as bulk foods, where items are sold in loose quantities, allowing customers to bring their own containers. They can also support businesses that offer alternatives to single-use packaging, such as stores that provide reusable bags or incentivize customers to employ reusable bags. These lifestyle changes may also involve actively participating in recycling programs and supporting initiatives that promote waste reduction, such as community composting or zero-waste campaigns. Truly dedicated individuals can even join local environmental groups or online communities to share tips and strategies.

In conclusion, the reduction of packaged products necessitates effort from primarily consumers. Through specific actions like seeking out minimal packaging options, and supporting businesses with sustainable practices, consumers can collectively contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

synonymous phrase for each:

1. excessive packaging – overabundance of packaging
2. sparked debate regarding – ignited a discussion concerning
3. reduction – decrease or lowering
4. corporations – companies or businesses
5. retailers – sellers or merchants
6. lead – guide or direct
7. contend – argue or maintain
8. the onus lies on – the responsibility rests on
9. make conscious choices – make deliberate decisions
10. Advocates for – supporters of or proponents of
11. assert – state or affirm
12. the most significant role in addressing this issue – the primary role in tackling this problem
13. enforce sustainable packaging practices – ensure the implementation of eco-friendly packaging methods
14. biodegradable – capable of decomposing naturally
15. recyclable materials – materials that can be recycled
16. compostable plastics – plastic that can be composted
17. cardboard – card or paper-based material
18. employ innovative packaging designs – utilize creative packaging solutions
19. minimize materials – reduce the amount of materials used
20. ensuring product safety – guaranteeing the safety of the product
21. Relatedly – in a related vein or context
22. collaborate – work together or cooperate
23. establish refill stations – set up stations for refilling
24. containers – receptacles or vessels
25. detergents – cleaning agents
26. reducing the need for – diminishing the necessity of
27. By taking these initiatives – Through implementing these measures
28. effectively reduce waste – efficiently decrease waste
29. contribute to a more sustainable future – play a part in building a sustainable future
30. On the other hand – Conversely or alternatively
31. proponents of – supporters of or advocates for
32. emphasize – highlight or stress
33. have the power to drive change – possess the ability to bring about change
34. purchasing decisions – buying choices
35. actively seek out – actively search for or pursue
36. bulk foods – items bought in large quantities
37. loose quantities – unpackaged amounts
38. offer alternatives to single-use packaging – provide options instead of disposable packaging
39. provide reusable bags – supply bags that can be used multiple times
40. employ reusable bags – utilize bags that can be used repeatedly
41. lifestyle changes – modifications to one’s way of life
42. actively participating in recycling programs – engaging actively in recycling schemes
43. initiatives – actions or endeavors
44. promote – encourage or foster
45. composting – the process of decomposing organic waste
46. zero-waste campaigns – campaigns advocating for no waste generation
47. Truly dedicated individuals – genuinely committed individuals
48. join local environmental groups – become members of local eco-conscious organizations
49. online communities – virtual communities or groups
50. share tips – exchange advice or recommendations
51. strategies – plans or approaches
52. necessitates effort from – requires effort from
53. collectively contribute to a healthier planet for future generations – together, make a positive impact on the planet for future generations

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ɪkˈsɛsɪv ˈpækɪʤɪŋ 
spɑːkt dɪˈbeɪt rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ 
rɪˈdʌkʃᵊn 
ˌkɔːpᵊrˈeɪʃᵊnz 
riːˈteɪləz 
liːd 
kənˈtɛnd 
ði ˈəʊnəs laɪz ɒn 
meɪk ˈkɒnʃəs ˈʧɔɪsɪz 
ˈædvəkeɪts fɔː 
əˈsɜːt 
ðə məʊst sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt rəʊl ɪn əˈdrɛsɪŋ ðɪs ˈɪʃuː 
ɪnˈfɔːs səsˈteɪnəbᵊl ˈpækɪʤɪŋ ˈpræktɪsɪz 
ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbᵊl 
ˌriːˈsaɪkᵊləbᵊl məˈtɪəriəlz 
ˈkɒmpɒstəbᵊl ˈplæstɪks 
ˈkɑːdbɔːd 
ɪmˈplɔɪ ɪnˈnɒvətɪv ˈpækɪʤɪŋ dɪˈzaɪnz 
ˈmɪnɪmaɪz məˈtɪəriəlz 
ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ ˈprɒdʌkt ˈseɪfti 
rɪˈleɪtɪdli 
kəˈlæbəreɪt 
ɪsˈtæblɪʃ ˈriːfɪl ˈsteɪʃᵊnz 
kənˈteɪnəz 
dɪˈtɜːʤᵊnts 
rɪˈdjuːsɪŋ ðə niːd fɔː 
baɪ ˈteɪkɪŋ ðiːz ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz 
ɪˈfɛktɪvli rɪˈdjuːs weɪst 
kənˈtrɪbjuːt tuː ə mɔː səsˈteɪnəbᵊl ˈfjuːʧə 
ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd 
prəˈpəʊnənts ɒv 
ˈɛmfəsaɪz 
hæv ðə ˈpaʊə tuː draɪv ʧeɪnʤ 
ˈpɜːʧəsɪŋ dɪˈsɪʒᵊnz 
ˈæktɪvli siːk aʊt 
bʌlk fuːdz 
luːs ˈkwɒntətiz 
ˈɒfər ɒlˈtɜːnətɪvz tuː ˈsɪŋɡᵊl-juːz ˈpækɪʤɪŋ 
prəˈvaɪd riːˈjuːzəbᵊl bæɡz 
ɪmˈplɔɪ riːˈjuːzəbᵊl bæɡz 
ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl ˈʧeɪnʤɪz 
ˈæktɪvli pɑːˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪŋ ɪn ˌriːˈsaɪklɪŋ ˈprəʊɡræmz 
ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz 
prəˈməʊt 
ˈkɒmpɒstɪŋ 
ˈzɪərəʊ-weɪst kæmˈpeɪnz 
ˈtruːli ˈdɛdɪkeɪtɪd ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəlz 
ʤɔɪn ˈləʊkᵊl ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl ɡruːps 
ˈɒnˌlaɪn kəˈmjuːnətiz 
ʃeə tɪps 
ˈstrætɪʤiz 
nɪˈsɛsɪteɪts ˈɛfət frɒm 
kɒˈlɛktɪvli kənˈtrɪbjuːt tuː ə ˈhɛlθiə ˈplænɪt fɔː ˈfjuːʧə ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃᵊnz 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The issue of e_____________g has s____________________g the responsibility for its r____________n. While some argue that c____________s and r_________s should l____d by selling fewer packaged items, others c________d that t__________n consumers to m____________________s.

A_____________r reducing packaging a_____t that manufacturers and shopping malls have t______________________________________________e. For instance, manufacturers can e___________________________________________s by using b______________e and r_______________s, such as c___________________s or c___________d. They can also e______________________________s that m________________________s while e_______________y. R__________y, shopping malls can c__________e with manufacturers to e_______________s, where customers can bring their own c_____________s and refill products like d__________s, spices, or personal care items, r________________r excessive packaging. B______________________________s, those who sell consumer products can e_______________e waste and c_________________________________e.

O______________d, p____________f consumer responsibility e________e that individuals h__________________________________e through their p______________s. Consumers should a_____________t products with minimal packaging, such as b____________s, where items are sold in l____________s, allowing customers to bring their own containers. They can also support businesses that o___________________o s___________________g, such as stores that p_____________s or incentivize customers to e________________________s. These lifestyle changes may also involve a_______________________________________s and supporting i_________s that p______e waste reduction, such as community c_________g or z___________________s. T______________s can even j________________________________s or o______________s to s_________s and s____________s.

In conclusion, the reduction of packaged products n______________________m primarily consumers. Through specific actions like seeking out minimal packaging options, and supporting businesses with sustainable practices, consumers can c_______________________________________________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://apnews.com/article/plastic-recycling-sweden-environment-climate-238f64f201ad89c5c97ed6719cad3665

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Environment

1. How are environmental problems dealt with in your country?
2. What can be done to make people recycle more often?
3. What is the most pressing environmental problem?
4. Is recycling a common practice in your country?
5. Are governments or individuals more responsible?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

In many countries, plastic containers have become more common than ever and are used by many food and drink companies.

Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

IELTS Essay: Plastic Containers