Our planet is in great danger. For the last one hundred or so years, the people of earth have wasted and misused the natural recourses of earth. Several plans have been developed to stop the abuse of earth. Some of these plans I will discuss in this essay, many of which can be executed by any one. Environmental problems have become so complex that many individuals feel they can have no effect on them. Problems like oil spills, hazardous waste, loss of rain forests, endangered species, acid rain, the ozone layer, the municipal waste crisis can feel out of our control. At the very least, these problems require group and corporate action or government intervention. However, there are some things the individual can control. Our waste reduction and recycling activities can make a difference. That's why so many communities began voluntary recycling programs.There are some household items that are dangerous if they are just thrown away with the regular garbage these items can damage the environment and injure plant and animal life some of these may include moth balls, spot removers, aerosol cans, fluorescent light tubes and shoe polish. Your local waste management agency has information on how to properly dispose of these items.A compost bin may be set up in your yard. Compost bins return plant and some food materials to the soil through decomposition so it can be used as a natural soil additive, called compost. Compost improves soil texture, increases the ability of soil to absorb oxygen and water. Compost also suppresses weed growth and reduces the need to add chemicals and pesticides to plants, which may be harmful to the environment.Keeping recycle bens in the kitchen may help to stop people from accidentally throwing into the trash an item that could have been recycled. Some recyclable items include glass, paper, and most types of mettle. You want to be sure that glass, paper and mettle are all separated into different bins. Once these bins are full of recyclable materials they can be given to your local recycle center.Solar panels are a series of mirrors that transform sunlight into solar energy. Solar energy can help heat water and power home appliances. Solar energy is a great source of clean, non-polluting energy.The home is not the only place wear people can pitch in and help the environment. School playgrounds can use recyclable materials for play equipment and to make the play ground safe for the children. Old rubber tires can be made into a recreation area where kids can crawl in and out. Sports coaches may also use old tires, by having the kids run through them, to test the kids stamina and agility. Jungle gyms, slides and swing sets can be made from recycled mettles.The school and public libraries are great examples of the reuse of materials. Books can be barrowed, read and returned instead of every one who wants to read a certain book going and purchasing a copy. The reuse of these books saves thousands of trees that would be used to make copies of books. The library also offers computers that can be used for research, by using the Internet, by taping the local or global newspaper web sights and other research centers around the world. Receiving information through the Internet saves paper and energy consumption is reduced.By taking school buses or car pools to school instead of individual vehicles, students can not only save fuel but also reduce both traffic and air pollution. People may also try to invest in electronic vehicles, which do not pollute. People should make sure to keep maintenance up on their vehicles to prevent unnecessary toxins from entering the environment.The idea of a landfill is a great one, but it wont work if people continue to believe it is a place for all trash. A landfill is a big divot dug out of the earth for garbage disposal.We need to make sure we dont put chemicals or non-biodegradable substances into these landfills because they are harmful to plants and animals, they may also contaminate our drinking water. A few of these chemicals include antifreeze, insecticide, batteries and Styrofoam, for proper disposal of these items contact your local waste management agency.You can help save natural resources by taking your old belongings that are no longer needed to a second hand store or the Salvation Army. A second hand store is a place where people can purchase donated items at a cheaper price than if they were to buy it brand new. The Salvation Army is much like a second hand store, but the items are free.