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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 won¶t 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 don¶t 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. Most items found at a second hand store or The Salvation Army are articles of clothing. The
benefit to donating old items is that when people find what they need at a second hand store or The Salvation
Army fewer items are manufactured which means you are saving natural recourses.

We can help, over the last twenty to thirty years we have been trying every thing in our power to conserve energy
and natural resources, many plans have been developed as to what should be done all of which are very good
ones. The problem with these plans is that not every one contributes to the efforts to reduce pollution and waste,
in fact most of the people I know believe recycling is a waste of time and they by them selves cannot make the
difference. In some cases, I have found myself questioning my efforts. However, it is still important that we don¶t
quit. If only every one in every home would decide to do their part and help to keep our air clean, our water
unpolluted and our wild life safe. The Earth is our home and we need to protect it.