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Green Surroundings
Eco-friendly homes:
- Trees absorb toxic air pollutants and ensure desired oxygen level.
- The two sides of the interior roads and the space along the boundary walls should be lined with trees.
- A steam, pond or a waterfall in the compound helps maintain ecology.
- Fishes in pond help by eating the larvae of mosquitoes.
- Terrace gardens contribute towards ecological balance as turfing can be done here.
- Brick arch panel roof is better than the conventional RCC roof as it uses minimum cement, concrete, saves on time.
How to segregate household waste
- Behavioral change in residents would ensure waste collected in separate bins for organic waste, paper, plastics and glass.
Usage of water
- Use water consciously – reduce, repair, retrofit – this would reduce the usage by half.
- Immediately attend to worn-out washers and tap leakages.
- Instead of running the tap while brushing or shaving, keep water handy in a mug and turn the tap when necessary.
- Shower uses less water than a bath in tub.
- Do not use the toilet as a waste basket to dispose off tissues.
Tips to conserve energy
- Annually check for leakages by an electrician preferably after monsoons.
- Use electrical gadgets with energy saving features.
- Educate the family members to switch off fans, lights and air-conditioners when leaving the room.
- Use solar energy culture bio gas energy whenever possible.
- Set the thermostat in the air conditioners.
- Use small fuel-efficient cars. Service the car regularly.
- Use rechargeable batteries instead of dry cells.
- Use less hot water.
Prevent Noise Pollution
- This has harmful effects on the body and mind – tensions, headaches and migraines are common ailments. It can cause neurological disorders and cardiac problems too.
- Sixteen percent of the people residing close to the airport suffer from hearing problems.
- Target the noise source for reduction of the intensity of the noise.
- Apply noise-absorptive measures between the source and the recipient of noise.
- Protective measures by the recipient would reduce noise intensity.
- Use furniture made out of sound-absorbing materials.
- Use heavy curtains to keep noise from the road entering the rooms.
- Generators and water pumps should be installed as far away from rooms especially children’s study.
- Sorel cement in the construction of the inner walls reduces noise levels by reducing reflection of sound from the walls.
- Trees surrounding the housing complex also help to reduce noise pollution.
Simple tools to help our environment
- Use tele or video conference instead of long distance calls or driving.
- Walk whenever possible so that use of cars is minimized.
- Avoid buying products made at the expense of the rainforest. Use wood substitutes.
- Plant trees wherever possible.
- Avoid use-and-throw products.
- Encourage your locality stores to use environment friendly cloth bags.
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