TEST YOURSELF: Coming full circle

Photo: Eco Ring
Photo: Eco Ring

Shop in an eco-friendly way

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Read the following story by Eric E Surbano from Bangkok Post’s Guru Magazine. Then, answer the questions that follow.


As we ready our wallets to go on a post-lockdown shopping spree, we can also consider buying from places that help the environment and reduce waste. Here are a few ways you can shop and help make the city a greener place.

Ikea Bang Yai

Ikea's branch at Bang Yai has introduced the Circular Shop, which allows people to resell their Ikea furniture that is still in good condition. If they agree to buy it back from you, Ikea will give you a gift card to buy new furniture from their store. There's also a Recycling Centre where you can deposit recyclable waste like plastic, paper, clear glass and aluminium.  

The Vintage Store

Shopping for vintage pieces is a great way of lessening waste in the world. The Vintage Store makes sure that they sell genuine pieces from iconic fashion houses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. If you expect cheap bargains, don't waste your time because this isn't the place. Genuine vintage comes at a price, but hey, you get your money's worth and you also help reduce waste by buying these pre-loved items.  

Eco Ring

There are a number of Japanese second-hand stores in the city but one of the best places for great stuff that's in good condition is Eco Ring. They've got a lot of branches around the city and have been a great place to find a variety of pre-loved things that you might want. Eco Ring has everything: watches, furniture pieces, shoes and even jewellery. Aside from buying, you can also sell any of your pre-loved items.  

Swap 'Til You Drop

Swap 'Til You Drop's events allow people to practise no-limit swapping by just paying an entrance fee to their event. That means you can come along, pay the B400 fee, which includes a drink, and you can browse the items people bring and take as much as you want. You can also bring your own items to the event.

The Remaker

This shop has a good variety of leather items from accessories like wallets and belts, stylish bags from laptop sleeves to clutches and even shoes. However, these leather goods are made from second-hand leather jackets. The result is a chemical-free and environmentally-friendly bag, shoe or accessory that is stylish and new despite being made from something old. You can browse and buy their entire collection on their website.



Section 1: Write the correct answer in the space provided.
1. Ikea will pay cash for your old furniture. True or false? …………….
2. Which place or event has an entry fee? …………….
3. The Remaker uses old leather from which items? …………….
4. Which shop also has a recycling centre? …………….
5. Which place lists all its items online?…………..
6. Which place has expensive items? …………….

Section 2: Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
Pankan Society has many …7… all around Bangkok. You can …8… items like clothing, bags or …9… furniture, and all sales …10… underprivileged children go to school.

7. __A. locates             __B. located                __C. locations
8. __A. donate                 __B. donates              __C. donated
9. __A. even            __B. and               __C. plus
10. __A. make            __B. help                __C. force
       
Section 3: Find words that match the following definitions.
11. unwanted materials that are left after you have used something ……………
12. old but high quality ……………
13. to exchange one thing for another ……………
14. to casually look at many things in a store …………

Answers: 1. false. 2. Swap 'Til You Drop. 3. jackets. 4. Ikea Bang Yai. 5. The Remaker. 6. The Vintage Store. 7. c. 8. a. 9. a. 10. b. 11. waste. 12. vintage. 13. swap. 14. browse.

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