Ways to save environment

Ways to save Environment

Quit smoking:

Smoking is one of the major indoor air pollutant and many people still have this life threatening habit. Although you want to continue with this habit and harm your health, it is definitely unfair to put the health of people around at stake. Prevent passive smoking by not smoking in indoors and while travelling in public transports etc.

Say no-no to plastic:

Despite of every one quite aware about Plastic bags being one of the biggest contributors to global warming, we still use them quiet carelessly and throw them away with organic waste or dump them in the land fill sites. It takes almost 500 years for a plastic bag to decompose and in the process it creates many harmful gasses; so reducing the use, recycling and reusing the plastic is very important to combat global warming.

Add house plants to your home:

A House plant not only adds to the esthetics of a room but also helps in maintaining temperature by adding moisture to the air and reduces airborne bacteria, fungi and 
other unhealthy pollutants. Plants renew the stale indoor air by replacing carbon dioxide we exhale with life sustaining oxygen. Two house plants per 100 sq feet will detoxify the air better than any disinfectant spray or air freshener. The pollutants are absorbed through the leaves of the plants, so it is advised to keep the leaves clean and have good air circulation around them. Since the filtration of the air is done by leaves, the fast growing plants are seen to give better results.

Bugs’ coming to the plants is a real time problem and can be solved very effectively by using a green spray which is prepared by soaking citrus rind (lemon, orange) in water for 3-4days. Remove citrus rind and pore the water into a spray pump to spray on plants. Rose leaves can also be added to the solution to add fragrance.

Start your day early:

In ester times people used to wake up early so that they can finish all the work to be done before sunset. But now with the presence of electricity and artificial lighting one does not see any need in waking up early. From the reports 35% of the energy consumed in a house in India is consumed in lighting a house after sun set. So, waking up early is not only going to keep you healthy but also will make you save energy and cut down your electricity bills.

Conserve water:

Water is one basic need to live life and it is becoming an ever scarcer resource. One should opt for an apartment which has water harvesting or if you have your own personal house then, get the water harvesting system installed. Switch to the latest low flush toilets, use shower wisely and run your washing machine and dish washer to the full load only, to decrease wastage of water.

Conserve electricity:

It is better to switch to Fluorescent light bulbs as they consumes 75% less energy and have more life time in comparison to incandescent light bulbs. Make it a point to defrost your food before you microwave it and let the food cool down to room temperature before putting it into the refrigerator. Be sure to unplug your machines like TV , computer etc before leaving for a trip because stand-by functions in them consumes electricity even if they are turned off. Switch your garden light to solar lights when possible for you. If you are buying a new refrigerator, air –conditioner or any other electrical appliances you should check the star rating as energy efficient systems with higher star rating consume 10-50% less water and electricity.

Kitchen waste management:

It seems little disgusting to do the kitchen waste management but the advanced products in the market have made it quite easy. A stainless steel kitchen composter with carbon filters is readily available in the market which makes the whole process odor less. The compost generated acts as fertilizer so can be used in house plants.

Use Public transportation:

According to studies 30% of carbon-dioxide is added to the environment by private transportation. We understand that using public transportation is not convenient all times but, one can always car pool. Try the option of taking a walk if you have to pick bread from the grocery store or travel a small distance. Your little effort will help in reducing the demand of petrol and traffic on roads and will also better your physical health.

Save trees by reducing the use of paper:

If you are still used to buying the old fashioned newspaper, it’s high time you switch to the internet for news. Try to reuse one side printed paper by cutting into two halves, to use them for writing your grocery list or making other notes. Replace the use of paper tissues by using hand towels.

Ways to Prevent Water Pollution

Ways to Prevent Water Pollution

• Toxic products like paints, automobile oil, polishes, and cleaning products should be stored and disposed off properly. As a matter of fact, it is better to use non-toxic, products for the house as far as possible. Also, never dispose off such products by throwing them into your toilet or sink.
• Dispose off your trash in a proper manner and try and incorporate the recycling habit as far as possible. Non-degradable products like tampons, sanitary napkins, and diapers should not be flushed down the toilet, for these can end up damaging the process of sewage treatment, and usually end up as litter on beaches.
• Refrain from throwing litter into streams, lakes, rivers, or seas. If you do spot litter on beaches or in water systems, after ascertaining that it is safe, collect them and dispose them off in any nearby waste disposal system.
• Try using environmentally friendly household products like toiletries, soap-based household cleaning material, and washing powder as far as possible.
• Try using natural fertilizers and pesticides as far as possible, or if not, do not overuse them or over-water gardens and lawns. This will help in reducing the pollutants that get into water systems due to runoffs.
• Automobile oil should be re-used as far as possible. Also, it is important to keep your automobile well maintained in order to prevent leakages of toxic fluids like antifreeze and oil.
• Also, actively conserve water by turning the tap off when you do not need running water, such as while brushing teeth. Apart from preventing water shortages, it lessens the amount of water that needs to be treated.
• Do not use colored bathing bars. They are known to contribute more to water pollution.
• Avoid buying packaged water as far as possible. The best policy to adopt is to carry a bottle of water when you step out of the house. You can carry one big bottle per head. This has two advantages: you eliminate your contribution to pollution related to plastic bottles, and you save money!

The above steps may seem to insignificant to ever contribute in reducing water pollution. But just imagine: even if 10 families (four members each) follow these steps, we will have almost 50 less plastic bottles contributing to pollution. That is quite a number, don't you think? If we all decide to share the responsibility, we can all come together and make a big difference.

Top 10 Ways to Recycle

Top 10 Ways to Recycle

No.10: Reuse Plastic Bags

Often plastic shopping bags get used once and thrown away, but that bag can be used for future groceries or as a garbage bag.

No.9: Buy Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries are filled with toxic materials that are terrible for the environment, so go green by buying batteries that you can recharge. There are also special companies that will collect your old batteries and recycle them safely.

No.8: Recycling at School

It’s easy to remember to recycle at home, but what about school? If your school doesn’t already have recycling bins, ask your teacher or administrator if they can get them or make one yourself – in fact, recycling can be a great project for the whole class.

No.7: Spending Green

Support eco-friendly companies by buying products made from recycled material – this could be anything from pencils and paper to wallets and clothing!

No.6:  Electronics and the Earth

What do you do when your with your phone when it finally goes kaput? Don't just toss it in the trash, many cellphone providers will recycle your phone for you when you get a new one and if not, go online and find your nearest electronics recycling depot. They can recycle everything from laptops to phones!

No.5: Compost the Most

Ask your parents or your school to start a compost. All your biodegradable food garbage – like egg shells and banana peels – will soon turn to soil that is great for planting.

No.4: Sheets, Towels and Clothing

Old sheets, towels and clothing can be donated to charity to be sold in thrift stores, or to an animal shelter as bedding and cleaning materials.

No.3: Get Crafty!

If you’re artistic you probably already know that there are a million ways to reuse jars, tubs and paper. A few crafts that include recycled materials are paper mache pinatas using old newspapers, painting using old jars, tin cans and plastic containers and using old magazines to make collages.

No.2: Green Thumb

If you’re not just green but also have a green thumb, you might want to try making old 2 litre pop bottles and empty jars into planters for flowers and herbs.

No.1: Recycle Every Day

The best way to recycle is to do it every day in your home and wherever you go. Remember to sort newspapers and magazines, plastic containers and bottles and assorted paper into your recycling and urge your friends and family to look out for ways to recycle too!

Ways to save electricity

Ways to save electricity

Have an HVAC Inspection

A professional technician can ensure that your home's furnace, air-conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system is functioning at peak efficiency. Expect to spend $50 to $100 on the inspection. (See References 1) Nearly half of your home's electricity goes toward heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, so it makes sense to look here first to reduce energy consumption (see References 3). The amount of energy an HVAC tune-up saves varies depending on the system.

Install a Digital Thermostat

Install and program your digital thermostat for energy efficiency when you're not at home. Adjusting the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit when you are not around can save you up to 10 percent annually on your energy bills. (See References 1)

Seal and Insulate Ducts

Making sure that all of your home's ductwork is properly sealed and insulated can result in energy savings of up to 20 percent annually (see References 5). Also, replace air filters regularly so that the air moves easily through the ducts, which prevents the HVAC system from working harder than it should (see References 2).

Apply Caulking

Caulking forms a flexible seal around windows and door frames --- apply it to any gaps in your home's exterior (see References 4). Caulking is a very low-cost energy-saving measure, paying for itself in less than a year (see References 2).

Apply Weatherstripping

Placing weatherstripping around moveable joints on doors and windows keeps out drafts, saving you money on your heating and cooling bills while stabilizing the temperature inside your home, thereby making it more comfortable (see References 4). Like caulking, weatherstripping will pay for itself in energy savings within a year (see References 6).

Replace Old Appliances

Large household appliances like clothes dryers and refrigerators are huge energy drains. Replace older, inefficient models with ones that carry the Energy Star seal of approval. Energy Star is a federal program that rates appliances on their efficiency so that consumers can make smart choices. According to Energy Star, replacing a clothes dryer made before 2000 with a newer model can save as much as $130 per year. Replacing an older refrigerator can save as much as $65 per year. (See References 2)

Avoid Using Appliances in the Heat of the Day

In summer, running the oven, dishwasher, clothes dryer or any other appliance that generates a great deal of heat midday forces your air conditioner to work harder. Wait for lower evening temperatures to use these appliances. In any season you may want to consider line-drying your clothes instead of placing them in the clothes dryer. Line-drying instead of using a dryer can save almost $200 annually. (See References 1)

Switch Out Incandescent Light Bulbs for CFLs

Switching out one incandescent bulb and replacing it with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save you $35 over the life of the CFL. Compact fluorescents use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last much longer. (See References 1)

Unplug Your Gadgets

That gaming system or computer printer is still using electricity even when it's not active. In fact, "standby" power for these electronics accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of home energy use. (See References 1) Use a power strip with a switch so you can easily turn off multiple devices at once.

Give Your Water Heater a Makeover

Set your hot water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit and wrap it with an insulating blanket. Lowering the temperature and insulating your water heater can result in energy savings of up to 15 percent annually (see References 2). Check the heater for any leaks as well.

Memories of Sprouts 8

On 31st of October and 1st of November 2012,

Thank you for all that had supported us throughout the event. The two nights had been enjoyable and hope the a greener world could soon be created.

Remember, don't wait if you wanted a change. Take action and lead the change.

By

Sprouts 8

How to Clean Up Our Water

Ten Simple Ways You Can Help Reduce Pollution and Runoff

Everyday household activities contribute to water pollution. When it rains, fertilizer from lawns, oil from driveways, paint and solvent residues from walls and decks and even pet waste are all washed into storm sewers or nearby lakes, rivers and streams -- the same lakes, rivers and streams we rely on for drinking water supply, boating, swimming and fishing. Also, improper handling of materials around the house can lead to pollution. Here are some ways you can help reduce your impact on waterways.

In Your Yard

1. Decrease impervious surfaces around your home. Having fewer hard surfaces of concrete and asphalt will reduce runoff from your property. Landscape with vegetation, gravel or other porous materials instead of cement; install wood decking instead of concrete, and interlocking bricks and paver stones for walkways. Redirect rain gutters and downspouts away from buildings and to rain barrels and gardens, soil, grass or gravel areas. Planting vegetation at lower elevations than nearby hard surfaces allows runoff to seep into soil.

2. Use native plants and natural fertilizers. Native plants need less water, are more tolerant of drought conditions, cost less to maintain and provide habitat for birds and butterflies. Apply natural fertilizers and soil conditioners, such as compost, peat, rotted manure, and bone meal to stimulate plant growth and retain soil moisture. You can create your own compost; compost bins are widely available for purchase, or you can make your own. Composting decreases the need for chemical fertilizers, helps soil retain moisture, and diverts waste from landfills. If you don't know how to compost, visit The Compost Resource Page or the EPA's composting pages.

3. Don't over-water lawns and gardens. According to the EPA, "nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for almost one-third of all residential water use, totaling more than 7 billion gallons per day." Most obviously, limit irrigation to vegetated areas -– prevent overspray onto sidewalks, driveways, and street curbing. Avoid sprinkler irrigation on steep slopes and narrow strips that cannot be watered efficiently. Know how much water your lawn is getting by using a rain gauge to track precipitation and match the amount of water you apply to the actual needs of your variety of turf. For non-turf areas, use slow-watering techniques, i.e. trickle or "drip" irrigation systems and soaker hoses, which are 20 percent more efficient than sprinklers. Over-watering lawns not only wastes water, but can also increase the leaching of fertilizers into groundwater. Watering before the sun comes up, or after it sets, will also decrease the amount of water lost to evaporation.

In Your Home

4. Recycle and dispose of all trash properly.Never flush non-degradable products -- such as disposable diapers or plastic tampon applicators -- down the toilet. They can damage the sewage treatment process and end up littering beaches and waters. And make sure to properly dispose of all pet waste from your property to keep it out of storm drains and water supplies.

5. Correctly dispose of hazardous household products. Keep paints, used oil, cleaning solvents, polishes, pool chemicals, insecticides, and other hazardous household chemicals out of drains, sinks, and toilets. Many of these products contain harmful substances -- such as sodium hypochlorite, petroleum distillates, phenol and cresol, ammonia and formaldehyde -- that can end up in nearby water bodies. Contact your local sanitation, public works, or environmental health department to find out about hazardous waste collection days and sites, or check Earth911.com for local recycling options. If a local program isn't available, request one. Additionally, incorrect disposal of pharmaceuticals andpersonal care products leads to the presence of pharmaceutical residues in our waterways and, ultimately, our drinking water. To keep pharmaceuticals and personal care products out of waterways, never flush them down the toilet. The best way to dispose of these items is through "take-back" programs where drugs are returned to a facility that can dispose of them properly. Contact your local health officials or household hazardous waste facility to find out what options exist in your region.

6. Use nontoxic household products whenever possible. Discarding harmful products correctly is important, but not buying them in the first place is even better. Ask local stores to carry nontoxic products if they don't already. For examples of safe substitutes for environmentally harmful household products, check EPA's Greener Products website.

Maintaining Your Car

7. Recycle used motor oil. Don’t pour waste oil into gutters or down storm drains, and resist the temptation to dump wastes onto the ground. A single quart of motor oil that seeps into groundwater can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. If you don't have a place to recycle used motor oil in your community, ask your local sanitation or public works department to create one. Check Earth911.com for local recycling options. When you buy motor oil, ask if the store or service station has a program to buy back waste oil and dispose of it properly. Keep up with car maintenance to reduce leaking of oil, coolant, antifreeze and other hazardous fluids.

8. Be "green" when washing your car. Skip the home carwash. Take your car to a professional –- professional carwashes are required to drain their wastewater into sewer systems, where it is treated before being discharged. This spares your local rivers and bays from the brake fluid, oil and automotive fluids that could otherwise contaminate your water. Many carwashes also recycle their wastewater, and use less than half the amount of water of a home carwash. Ask around to find a carwash that practices wastewater recycling. Alternatively, you can "wash" your car at home using a waterless carwash product.

In Your Community

9. Help identify, report and stop polluters. Join a local clean water or environmental group that monitors industries and sewage treatment plants that are discharging wastes. Local groups can be effective working together with state environmental agencies, EPA and national groups like NRDC to ensure that industries comply with regulations. To find a local clean water organization in your area, contact the Clean Water Network or Waterkeeper Alliance.

10. Be an activist. Educate yourself about water issues in your community. Find out where and how decisions are made about investments in projects and programs to protect your water and the rates and charges you pay for water and wastewater service. Contact your public officials and attend hearings to encourage them to support laws and programs to protect our water. Ask officials to control polluted runoff, ensure protection for wetlands and other aquatic ecosystems, reduce the flow of toxics into our waterways, and strengthen enforcement. Volunteer for a beach or stream clean up, tree planting, water quality sampling, or stream pollution monitoring project sponsored by a local environmental group or watershed council. Visit NRDC's Action Center to learn about urgent issues you can get in involved in.

22 Ways To Energy Efficiency

1. Turn off lights you’re not using We even have switchplate reminders for you, downloadable on our Web site. (2% energy savings per year, assuming an average family’s energy use)

2. Schedule an energy audit Your local utility will probably provide an audit for free, and you may also get a more comprehensive audit (saving you more money in the long term) by paying for a whole-house audit. (Up to 50% energy savings per year)

3. Don’t heat or cool empty rooms If there is a room in your house that is rarely used, close off the vents to save on heating and cooling. (Varies by size of room.)

4. Give your dishwasher a rest Skip the energy-intensive drying cycle on your dishwasher and choose the air-dry option, or open the door for zero-energy dish drying. (5% energy savings per year)

5. Shift your energy load to off-peak hours Because power sources must produce electricity around the time of use (without capacity for long-term storage) it is our collective peak demand that triggers the building of more polluting power plants. (Varies)

6. Turn off your electronics If you’re going to be away from your computer or other appliance for more than an hour, turn it off. (5% energy savings per year)

7. Eliminate “phantom load” Many electronics use energy even while turned off, so your best bet is to unplug them when not in use. (5% energy savings per year)

8. Make your fridge more efficient Keep your refrigerator’s coils clean to boost its overall power, and store jugs of water in any empty space inside, because water retains coldness better than air. (4% energy savings per year)

9. Wash clothes in cold water Your clothes will get just as clean, on half the energy. (7% energy savings per year)

10. Give up your dryer Hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline or indoor rack. (10% energy savings per year)

11. Plug your air leaks Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems are wasted when you’re leaking out the cool or warm air you’re putting in. (5% energy savings per year)

12. Reduce your water use Simple ways to save water include fixing any leaks and replacing faucets and showerheads with low-flow options. (3% energy savings per year)

13. Cut waste through windows Properly seal window edges, cover windows with curtains to prevent heat loss, or coat windows with reflective “low-e” films that reduce heat loss while still allowing light to shine through. (10% energy savings per year)

14. Help your hot water heater Add an insulating cover to reduce heat loss. (1% energy savings per year)

15. Install ceiling fans Reduce your air conditioner usage with ceiling fans. Look for “Energy Star” models that use 50 percent less energy. (19% energy savings per year)

16. Get a programmable thermostat Automate when your heating or cooling systems come on to save energy while you sleep or are away from home. (10% energy savings per year)

17. Upgrade your appliances Look for the “Energy Star,” and you may be eligible for a tax break. (3 – 12% energy savings per year)

18. Upgrade your hot water heater Save energy and space by upgrading to a tankless or solar hot water heater. (14% energy savings per year)

19. Green your roof Studies have found that a green roof on a typical one-story building can result in a 25 percent reduction in summer cooling needs. (12% energy savings per year)

20. Save energy through landscaping The US Department of Energy found that the proper placement of as few as three shady trees will save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs annually. (12% energy savings per year)

21. Replace your windows In step 13, we have recommendations for working with the windows you have. Replacing your windows with more energy-efficient versions can save you even more. (14% energy savings per year)

22. Don’t waste energy on TV With the switch to digital TV coming in 2009, many people are buying new, digital-ready TVs. If you must shop for a new television, look for an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, which uses six times less energy than a plasma screen. (2% energy savings per year)

Overview : You Can Make a Change

31st of November 2012

Our Event Banner ^^

Residents of Kinabalu Residential College flocked in even before 8.30 p.m. The overwhelming support for the event shows that many of us are eager for the knowledge to save and protect the environment.

The event started with booths set up by our respective teams, which includes Exposition and Multimedia, Carbon Footprint, Biodiversity and Recycling.

Among the booths are:

• News and Tips, by FB and Blog
• Picturesque Earth
• Be One of Us
• Carbon Footprint, the Enemy of Earth
• Trees of Life
• Scrapbook of the Planet
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• The Amazing Handicraft

Miss out the chance to attend our event but wondering what is it all about? Don't worry as we will upload the the content of the booth here from time to time. Remember to check out our blog ya!



1st of November 2012

Sprouts 8

Participants arrive gradually starting at 8.40 p.m. and most of them linger around the booth to pick up more information and knowledge. Sharp at 9.00 p.m. , "You Can Make a Change" officially starts its 1st LDK, namely CHANGE THE PERCEPTION. Pictures of all sorts of happenings or living things are displayed part by part, and participants are required to guess what the picture is all about, before it is completely shown to everyone. Sounds simple? I guess not because we had blurred and only shown them a small portion of the whole picture!!! Each correct guess, will lead to a talk by participants on the picture that had been shown. Through the pictures that was displayed, we hope that we could change your perception on mother Earth that, the Earth won't die and we can do whatever we can to this beautiful land. Remember, we have only 1 Earth and if we continue to litter and destroy the nature, 2012 might came true in the future.


At 9.30 p.m., LDK 2 takes over. It is now the time for CHANGE THE BAGS. The rules is simple, make the most beautiful bag of all time with everything that we supplied. So, how to make it? We, Sprouts 8, supplied each team with clothes, threads and decoration. So, it's needle time for everyone. Why we do this? We hope that we could promote the use of reusable bag, and phase out plastics that contaminate our planet Earth.

Light off for The Earth

It is now, 10.19 and everyone is prepared for the countdown for 3rd LDK, CHANGE THE HABITS.(also known as Lights Off For The Earth).  This is the simplest and also hardest LDK of all. Why and How? This is the question that always come into the mind of many. It's simple because all participants were only asked to relax and enjoy the beautiful sound of nature. The hard part is, they were required to write down everything that they could hear after a journey to relaxation in DARK!
I wonder how many of you could remember something that is not significant but beautiful after only hearing it once. After all, the objective of this LDK is to tell everyone that we can actually switch off alot of lights in our daily life. Change the habit of having all the lights on 24 hours a day.

This was followed with Video Presentation, Lucky draw and Prize Giving, a time when all participants of You Can Make A Change eagerly awaits. There was an "earthquake" in the hall as everyone wants the beautiful hamper that we have prepared specially for them.

Do, enjoy these videos :)

Now

"You Can Make A Change" had officially came to an end and we would like to convey a million thanks everyone for coming to the event. Hope that everyone of us had had a better understanding towards our environment, and let's take a good care of our beloved mother Earth starting from today onwards. Remember this, Think of Environment, Think of Sprouts 8

What are the ways the reduce land pollution?

What are the ways the reduce land pollution?

1) Incinerate Trash
2) Shut down nuclear power.
3) End the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
4) Ban Nuclear Weapons
5) Produce your electricity off grid
6) Go paperless
7) Discourage human reproduction
8) Recycle trash
9) Use less packaging
10) Upgrade the sewage infrastructure
12) Encourage People to use mass transit
13) Land Farming
14) Removing contaminates from contaminated sites to incinerators or land fills.
15) Cremate the dead
16) Prevent littering
17) Provide public bathrooms.
18) Ban depleted uranium weapons
19) Ban nuclear testing
20) Reduce waste by extracting resources from it
21) Encourage people to live on boats