Hoe we can take care of resources? plz answer in 2 or more paragraphs
Answers
In the spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to bring the environment into the national dialogue. In its first year, 20 million Americans celebrated Earth Day. Nearly 50 years later, Americans have conquered many of the environmental and public health challenges we’ve faced: acid rain, leaded gasoline, air pollution, and more.
This Earth Day, let's celebrate our successes while we continue to protect our natural resources! Here are 5 ways to save water and energy, keep the air and water clean, and reduce waste.
1. Keep the water clean by collecting FOG (fats, oils, and grease).
Putting FOG down the drain can clog pipes resulting in dangers to public health and the environment such as expensive repairs, wastewater backups, manhole overflows, and malfunctioning septic systems.
What shouldn't I put down my drain?
FOG includes meat fats, cooking oil, shortening, lard, butter, margarine, gravy, mayonnaise, salad dressings, sour cream, and other foods containing fats, oils, and grease. Additionally, you shouldn't put any food scraps down your drain; even non-greasy scraps can plug sewer lines.
How do I properly dispose of FOG?
FOG should go into a sealable container and placed in the trash. Place a catch basket over the sink drain to catch scraps. Don't use garbage disposals. Find a location to recycle your used cooking oil. Wipe cookware and dishes with dry paper towels before rinsing or washing them. Don't pour FOG in the toilet, gutters, or storm drains.
What about other types of food scraps?
Vegetable and fruit scraps can be composted. Check out our guide, Mulching and Composting.
2. Reduce waste by donating gently used household items and clothing.
Donating these items keeps them out of our landfills. It also helps those in need; many second hand stores provide revenue to support nonprofits that provide community services. Here are a few donation resources. Take Care of Texas provides this list for informational purposes only and does not endorse these entities or their services.
Household and Personal Items: Goodwill, Salvation Army
Building Materials: Habitat for Humanity
Electronics: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
3. Keep the air clean by reducing idling.
If you expect to idle for more than 30 seconds, park your vehicle, turn it off, and go inside. It only takes 10 seconds of fuel to restart your vehicle. Depending on the size of your engine and air conditioner use, idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour. Reduce your fuel costs and keep the air clean by parking your car and going inside, rather than idling in long lines. Check out our website for more ways to keep the air clean and save money.
4. Conserve energy by unplugging electronics when they aren't in use and save up to $180 a year.
Did you know that when your TV, computer, and other appliances are plugged in, they are quietly draining electricity all day, every day, even when they are turned off? This phenomenon is known as standby power—the electric power consumed by products when they are switched off or in a standby mode. Standby power accounts for 5 to 10 percent of residential energy use and costs the average Texas household up to $180 per year! Unplugging or turning electronics off at a power strip allows you to eliminate the energy used for standby power. When you replace electronics, look for the Energy Star products that have lower standby power.
5. Conserve water by turning off the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Turning off the water can save up to 2,400 gallons of water per year. That's the amount of water needed to take 140 showers, or nearly 5 months of showering for one person. To save even more, you could install faucet aerators or replace old, inefficient faucets. This way, you will save water while running the tap too. Faucet aerators work by replacing the faucet head screen, which adds air to the water stream and increases the effectiveness of the flow. High-efficiency aerators can reduce the flow of water by 3.2 to 17.2 gallons per day. By saving water, you will also reduce the demand on your water heater and, therefore, save energy.
Buy less stuff (use items as long as you can, and ask yourself if you really need something new).
Reduce excess packaging (drink tap water instead of water from plastic bottles).
Recycle materials such as metal cans, old cell phones, and plastic bottles.
Purchase products made from recycled materials.
Reduce pollution so that resources are maintained.
Prevent soil erosion.
Plant new trees to replace those that are cut down.
Drive cars less, take public transportation, bicycle, or walk.
Conserve energy at home (turn out lights when they are not needed).