Earth pollution, in simple terms, involves the degradation or destruction of the earth's surface and soil, as a direct or indirect consequence of human activities. We have all heard about the "3 R" principle for sustainable development: reduce, reuse, recycle. However, by learning various methods to prevent earth pollution, it is possible to return to living on a cleaner planet.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Reduce Waste
Step 1. Reduce the use of environmentally harmful products
Here's how to reduce the pollution produced at home:
- Buy biodegradable products.
- Store all chemicals and liquid waste in spill-proof containers.
- Eat organic foods grown without pesticides. Look for fertilizer- or pesticide-free products when you shop.
- Don't use pesticides if you can.
- Use a pan to catch the engine oil.
- Buy products that come in smaller packages.
- Do not waste the engine oil on the ground.
Step 2. Reduce the amount of plastic you use
According to the researchers, there is a risk that plastic bags never completely decompose, but gradually turn into smaller pieces. Here's how to reduce the amount of plastic used in the home:
- Don't use garbage bags - just empty the trash directly into the garbage can.
- If you'd rather keep using your method, get some biodegradable or recycled garbage bags.
- If you receive magazines or newspapers in the mail, request that they not be wrapped in plastic upon delivery (or cancel your subscription and consult online versions of your periodicals; you will also save the lives of hundreds of trees).
- Get a plastic or metal container to take leftovers home when you eat out. Sure, people might look at you strangely, but someone has to be a spokesperson for the needs of the environment!
- When shopping for take-out, remember to refuse the plastic cutlery in the package. Your kitchen drawers will already be full of them! And politely refuse the envelope, too, if you only have a couple of packs to take home.
- Ask the dry cleaner to remove the plastic wrap from your clothes. Don't forget to choose an ecological laundry that doesn't use toxic products.
Step 3. Reduce the amount of garbage
- Carry out proper maintenance of everything that is installed underground in your home: oil depot, septic tank and waste collectors. Purge the septic tank on schedule, and look for any traces of leaks, such as wet areas in the garden, odors, slow or clogged flow, and overgrowth of plants in a particular area. Most septic systems need to be purged every 3-5 years.
- Do not neglect the collection and disposal of organic waste. Dispose of animal waste in a septic system or wastewater as soon as possible - do not leave it on the lawn and do not enter it directly into the sewer system.
- Do not burn waste, especially plastics or tires, as the residues in the smoke will settle, polluting the soil.
Step 4. Reduce your paper usage
- Choose online subscriptions.
- Reject receipts, for example at an ATM.
Method 2 of 5: Use Water Responsibly
Step 1. Plant native plant species and organize your crops to reduce any losses
These measures will help reduce the use of water and lawn chemicals necessary for garden maintenance.
Step 2. Water the lawn less frequently
Make sure you water it more deeply and in the morning, when the temperature is cooler. This will prevent the soil from depleting nutrients due to over-watering, and reduce the need for fertilizer while stimulating root growth deep into the soil.
Step 3. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible
About 85% of the energy used by the washing machine is used to heat the water.
Step 4. Use a filter system to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water, because not only is it expensive, it generates large amounts of waste
Step 5. Carry a reusable bottle of water, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work
Method 3 of 5: Reuse
Step 1. Take advantage of paper reuse alternatives
- Choose recycled paper products such as notepads, toilet paper, paper towels, and so on.
- Buy reusable plates and cutlery.
- Bring your own bag when you go to the supermarket and other stores. Bring a reusable bag with you. You can easily find them in supermarkets and detergent shops. If you don't want to give up on style, there are various fashionable shopping bags.
- Boycott the use of absorbent paper, preferring rags and cloths for cleaning the house.
Step 2. Take advantage of the alternatives of reusing electronic devices
- Buy remanufactured cartridges and toners. Each remanufactured cartridge avoids wasting about 1.13 kg of metal and plastic in landfills and saves about half a liter of oil.
- Buy rechargeable batteries. Batteries are full of toxic materials that are harmful to the environment, so be respectful of the environment by purchasing batteries that you can recharge. There are also special companies that collect used batteries and recycle them safely. It takes 1,000 regular batteries to match the life of a rechargeable battery. When they are no longer needed, recycle them.
- Purchase rewritable CDs and DVDs so you can reuse them for future projects.
Method 4 of 5: Reuse the Water
Step 1. Use the "gray water" to water your garden and plants
"Gray water" is a definition used for part of the domestic water that comes from showers, bathtubs and sinks. They are certainly not fit for human consumption, but they are clean enough to be used in the garden and for house plants. Bath or shower water is best, but water used for washing dishes is fine too, as long as there isn't too much grease or food left off the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. Water can be collected manually by emptying the bathtub or by directing the drain pipes into a small tank.
Step 2. Use the sink water to flush the toilet
In developed countries, each person uses 50,000 liters of water a year to discharge only 625 liters of waste! To return to a more efficient and responsible use of water, you can use it twice before wasting it so easily. Since it is not necessary to flush the toilet with clean water, the pipes can be arranged so that the gray water from the bathroom sink goes to fill the toilet flush.
Step 3. Collect rainwater
Just place a barrel at the base of a gutter and collect rainwater. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) argues that a house with a roof of 140 square meters in a region that receives at least 50 centimeters of rain per year could potentially collect 70,000 liters of water per year, which can be used for irrigate lawns and gardens.
Method 5 of 5: Recycle
Step 1. Recycle every day
The best way to recycle is to do it daily, at home and wherever you go. Remember to sort newspapers and magazines, containers and plastic bottles, but also the various types of paper in your separate collection system and urge friends and family to do the same!
Step 2. Recycle your obsolete electronic devices
According to the EPA, Americans throw away two million tons of electronic waste every year. Even if you live in Italy, the planet you live on is no different, so avoid spreading other waste into the environment by recycling your old electronic devices. To find out more, check out this article and also this site.
Step 3. Organize ready-to-use recycling bins
Make sure there are recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal in your home and office. Keep them out in the open and label them appropriately. Sometimes the convenience factor is all it takes to maintain this habit.
Step 4. Recycle empty printer cartridges
Almost eight cartridges are thrown into the United States every second. They correspond to 700,000 cartridges per day.
Step 5. Look for the recycling symbol in all products you purchase
Not only paper is recycled.
Advice
- Take biology and earth science classes to better understand how to help the environment.
- Take agronomy lessons.
- Read books on the subject to better understand how to put into practice what you have learned in this article.
