Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Preventing and Reducing Pollution  Human activity is responsible for much of the world’s pollution  Humans can also do much of the clean up and protection of the environment  Governments are working to reduce and prevent pollution around the world  The Environmental Protection Agency is committed to protecting the environment  Best way to make a difference: Three R’s reduce, reuse, recycle  Reduce consumption on energy and other resources  Reuse items by repairing, selling, or donating them  Recycle materials that can be used again in another form

Cleaner Air and Water  Anything that we do that uses energy by burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution  This could be: electrical appliances, driving a car, running a power lawn mower  Walk or bike to nearby places  Use public transportation or carpool  Avoid burning trash- should be done by local trash management, leaves, or brush- will break down naturally  Use biodegradable detergents- broken down easily in environment  Do not pour hazardous materials down the drain, on the ground, down storm sewers, or put them with regular trash  These actions are harmful to soil and water

Conservation  Many natural materials are nonrenewable resources- substances that cannot be replaced once they are used  Example: Fossil fuels- once a barrel of oil is burned it is gone forever  Must use them wisely  Conservation- saving of resources  Best way: use less of it  Look at pg. 554

Recycling and Pre-cycling  Recycling conserves energy and natural resources and helps reduce solid waste  Most common materials recycled: paper, aluminum, glass, plastics, and yard waste  Aluminum once it is recycled can be used to make new cans or other aluminum products  Do not have to use new ore from the ground and less energy is used  The picture on 554 lets us know if products can be recycled  Plastic materials have a number which is a code for identifying the type of material so that it can be sorted according to the number  More than 28% of solid waste produced in the U.S. is recycled  Pre-cycling- reduce waste before it occurs  Look for products in refillable containers  Bring a cloth or reusable plastic bag to the store to carry purchases  Buy products in packages made of materials that can be reused or recycled-glass, metal, or paper

Why People Don’t Recycle  Put off by checking the number on recycling material  May think plastics break down easily in environment- not true  Plastic recycling needs a boost, almost ever household could improve its recycling efforts

Protecting the Environment  Take charge of your family’s recycling effort  Find out what is recycled in your community and set up a system your family can follow  Advocate for greater environmental awareness  Evaluate advertising, labels, contents, and packaging as it relates to the environment  Join a conservation organization  Ask organizations to provide information on current environmental issues

Activities  Math Activity pg. 553  A. K. Activity pg. 555  C.C.A. Activity pg. 556