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What
Can You Do?
Did
you know…?
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The energy saved recycling one aluminum can powers a television
for three hours? |
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Recycling aluminum cuts related air pollution by 95%? |
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20 cans can be produced from recycled aluminum with the same
amount of energy that it takes to manufacture one can from raw
materials. |
You
can help
By recycling bottles and cans while at the Zoo and by participating
in your local curbside recycling program.
Did
you know…?
| •
That replacing just 3 regular light bulbs in your house with
compact fluorescent bulbs can save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide
from going into the atmosphere and $60 per year off your electric
bill? |
Did
you know…?
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Plastic takes 200 to 400 years to break down naturally |
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In the U.S. plastic bag consumption requires an estimated 12
million barrels of oil per year. |
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Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, birds and other animals
die each year from swallowing plastic bags mistaken for food.
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In 1999 the U.S. alone used 10 billion paper grocery bags requiring
14 million trees to be cut down. |
You
can help
By recycling plastics, by purchasing items that have been responsibly
packaged, and by using canvas or mesh (reusable) bags for shopping.
Did
you know…?
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The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only 4 visits
to the grocery store. |
You
can help…
By bringing your own reusable bags when shopping. Some stores will
even give you a discount for using your own bags.
Did
you know…?
| •
Leaving your car running while stopped is harmful to the air
we breathe. |
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Each gallon of gas used produces 19 pounds of carbon dioxide,
a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The emissions
affect the atmosphere and can harm plants, animals and humans,
as well as our water supply. |
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Not only can idling affect our health, it can be detrimental
to your car as well! Today’s cars need no more than 30
seconds to warm up. |
You
can help
By turning your car off if you’ll be stopped for more than
10 seconds.
Did
you know…?
| •
Chemical (inorganic) fertilizers cause a toxic buildup of chemicals
in the soil and can leak into our waterways. |
You
can help…
Create your own natural fertilizer by composting. Leaves, grass
clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and small twigs can be great
natural fertilizers and reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills.
Did
you know…?
| •
Many of the cleaners and detergents we buy in the grocery store
contain chemicals that are toxic to the environment and even
to us. |
You
can help…
Look to white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and Borax to take
care of most of your cleaning needs. There are also a number of
earth-friendly cleaners in local stores.
Did
you know…?
| •
That the soap you use to wash your car at home will ultimately
end up in our waterways, polluting them. |
You
can help…
If washing your car at home, be sure to use a biodegradable soap
and turn off the hose between rinses to save water. Better yet,
take your car to a local carwash that uses biodegradable soap and
recycles the water for reuse.
Got
Weeds?
Forget the weed killer. Full-strength white vinegar sprayed on weeds
on a sunny day will kill the weeds without harming the environment.
You can also use a thick layer of organic mulch or newspaper to
prevent the growth of weeds.
Did
you know…?
| •
That dripping faucet is more than just annoying—it also
costs a lot of money! A leaky faucet can waste thousands of
gallons of water a year, which can really add up. Only 1% of
the earth’s water is actually useable for human needs
(agriculture, residential, manufacturing). Therefore we should
conserve as much as we can. |
You
can help…
Keep an eye (or an ear) out for dripping faucets, and tighten or
repair them when you see them. Turn water off while washing your
hands and brushing your teeth, and install a low flow shower head.
Did
you know…?
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Computer monitors use 300-500 watts per 8-hour period. |
You
can help…
Turn off monitors and printers at night and set your computer to
sleep mode instead of a screen saver—you’ll save $85
per computer per year.
Simply turning off your lights, TV, VCR, and other electronic devices
will help reduce your energy bill significantly and reduce global
warming.
Want
better gas mileage?
Check your tire pressure. Properly inflated tires contribute to
good gas mileage. Each gallon of gas saved also saves 20 pounds
of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere and helps reduce
global warming.
Did
you know…?
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Reducing your garbage by 10% reduces carbon dioxide emissions
by 1,200 pounds and reduces global warming. |
You
can help…
Avoid products with a lot of packaging. Preventing waste from being
created in the first place means that there is less energy used
and fewer resources consumed. When you purchase products with the
least packaging, you help the environment and save money!
Reduce
global warming 2 degrees at a time!
Keeping your thermostat at 68° in winter and 78° in summer
not only helps with your energy bills, but it can reduce global
warming as well. No matter where you set your dial, a two degree
change can mean a reduction of 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per
year.
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