Unit 14

Word

Definition

Example

by-product 

something additional that is produced during a natural or industrial process

Soap and cosmetics were made by Britain's Victorians, using the by-products of oil and fat

commercial

a commercial product is one that is produced and sold in large quantities

So far, jatropha biofuel hasn't had much commercial success.

cut down on 

to reduce the amount of something

Tom Szaky is always looking for ways to cut down on waste and help the planet

discard 

to get rid of something

The waste includes anything that people discard such as coffee capsules or biscuit wrappers

drop off 

to take someone or something to a place by car and leave them there on your way to another place

It also works with individual consumers who can drop off rubbish at collection points

drop-off point 

a place where you can bring something and leave

We pick up the rubbish from drop-off points

economical 

using time, money, goods etc carefully and without wasting any

It's really economical to produce

emissions 

a gas or other substance that is sent into the air

This kind of fuel produces about half the CO2 emissions of normal diesel

end up with 

to be in a particular situation, state, or place after a series of events, especially when you did not plan it

What you end up with is a very good quality fuel which can be put into a diesel engine

essentially 

used when stating the most basic facts about something

Essentially, there are three main stages in the process

founder 

someone who establishes a business, organization, school etc

Tom is the founder and Chief Executive of a company called TerraCycle

harvest 

to gather crops from the fields

After the seeds have been harvested, they are taken to a refinery where we feed them into a grinder

in return 

as payment or reward for something

In return for the rubbish, TerraCycle will donate money to charity

lean 

thin in a healthy and attractive way

Our processes need to be much leaner

make out of 

to change a person or thing into something else

Alternatively, it will pick out a type of rubbish and try to make something new out of it

manufacture 

to use machines to make goods or materials, usually in large numbers or amounts

Many companies have tried to manufacture biofuel as a profitable alternative to non-renewable fuels

manufacturer 

a company that makes large quantities of goods

It processes the material so it can be sold to a manufacturer

operate 

if a business or organization operates in a particular place or way, it works in that place or way

Now it operates in 21 countries, with a turnover of 20 million dollars

pick out 

to choose someone or something from a group

I was trying to pick out a new outfit for work but I can't find anything suitable in this shop

pick up 

to lift something or someone up

We pick up the rubbish from drop-off points

process 

to make food, materials, or goods ready to be used or sold, for example by preserving or improvingthem in some way

It processes the material so it can be sold to a manufacturer

recycle 

to put used objects or materials through a special process so that they can be used again

How much waste does your company recycle?

recycling 

the process of treating used objects or materials so that they can be used again

She works for a recycling company

reduce 

to make something smaller or less in size, amount, or price

We need to find a way to reduce waste

register 

to put someone's or something's name on an official list

First of all, you need to register online

renewable 

renewable energy replaces itself naturally, or is easily replaced because there is a large supply of it

Many companies try to use renewable fuels

reprocess

to treat a waste substance so that it can be used again

The waste oil is taken to be reprocessed into biodiesel

reuse

to use something again

The basic idea of reusing cooking oil and fat is nothing new

set up 

to make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen

We could set up a system of paper recycling in the office

sign up 

to put your name on a list for something because you want to take part in it

Any local business can sign up to become a drop-off point

stage 

one of the parts which something such as a competition or process is divided into

What are the different stages in the process?

take away 

to spoil the good effect or success that something has

Large businesses pay TerraCycle to take away their waste

throw away 

to get rid of something that you do not want or need

Don't throw away that office chair! We can use it somewhere else

transform 

to completely change the appearance, form, or character of something or someone, especially in a way that improves it

The power station was transformed into an art gallery

turn into 

to become something different, or to make someone or something do this

Nowadays, the oil and fat which is used to fry your food can be turned into biodiesel