Hazardous wastes are materials that may be dangerous to humans or the environment if not handled properly. Paints, cleaners, oils, old batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and mercury thermometers are a few examples of hazardous materials. These materials must be disposed of properly and should not be poured down drains or on the ground. Landfills are sites for burying waste. Certain waste items should not go to the landfill, such as recyclables, compostables, and hazardous materials. Plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose. Hazardous waste can contaminate groundwater and soil. Improper Use of Landfills The suffix cide means to kill, so a pesticide is substance that repels or kills any pests. Pests can be weeds, bacteria, insects, rodents or other animals. Pesticides include sprays, powders, poisons, disinfectants and other chemicals. Water is essential for all living things. About 97.5% of the Earth's water is saltwater and about 2.5% is freshwater. Of that 2.5% only 0.5% is usable. About one-sixth of the world's population, 1.1 billion people, do not have access to safe, usable water. By 2025, one-third of the world's population may be experiencing chronic water shortages.
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Hazardous wastes are materials that may be dangerous to humans or the environment if not handled properly. Paints, cleaners, oils, old batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and mercury thermometers are a few examples of hazardous materials. These materials must be disposed of properly and should not be poured down drains or on the ground.
Landfills are sites for burying waste. Certain waste items should not go to the landfill, such as recyclables, compostables, and hazardous materials. Plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose. Hazardous waste can contaminate groundwater and soil.
Improper Use of Landfills
The su�x cide means to kill, so a pesticide is substance that repels or kills any pests. Pests can be weeds, bacteria, insects, rodents or other animals. Pesticides include sprays, powders, poisons, disinfectants and other chemicals.
Water is essential for all living things. About 97.5% of the Earth's water is saltwater and about 2.5% is freshwater. Of that 2.5% only 0.5% is usable. About one-sixth of the world's population, 1.1 billion people, do not have access to safe, usable water. By 2025, one-third of the world's population may be experiencing chronic water shortages.
Energy e�cient lighting such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and can last 10 times longer. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) use semiconductors and direct current to make light and can last hundreds of times longer than either CFLs or traditional light bulbs.
Energy E�cient Lighting
Sustainability
Low-E (E stands for emissivity) energy e�cient windows have special coatings that allow light to travel through the glass while it bounces back or blocks heat or infrared energy from entering. Smart windows are a type of energy e�cient windows that get lighter or darker electronically.
Energy E�cient Windows
Sustainability
Most hybrids use a gas engine and an electric motor that runs o� batteries. Plug-in hybrids also have their batteries charged by a wall plug. The batteries and additional charging of a plug-in hybrid allow two times the gas mileage of a regular hybrid.
Hybrid and Plug-In Cars
Sustainability
Fruits and vegetables are grown in many parts of the world. Buying locally grown foods reduces pollution and global warming. When food travels long distances, the trucks, ships, and planes used to move it emit harmful gases into the air. Shopping for local foods supports local farmers and saves energy.
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