Conservation

Water

All of the Water We Have Is All of the Water We Have

Water is neither a manufactured nor produced commodity, it is a natural resource. Water is an element of our planet that has been present since the beginning of time. Although our planet has a unique water recycling process that filters and replenishes our vital supply, occasionally some areas may not get enough precipitation to fulfill that areas needs.

This deficiency is called a drought. Every living creature on earth requires water for survival. Therefore, during drought conditions, it is important to take care of and conserve our water supply to ensure an ample supply for tomorrow.

Why Save Water

Water Can Be Scarce

Every drop counts, it is ok to keep conserving water and save money.

• Adjust sprinklers to ensure water is soaking grass and not roadways
• Avoid flushing toilet unnecessarily
• Avoid over watering and over fertilizing
• Avoid running water to defrost meats, place in refrigerator while defrosting
• Avoid taking long showers
• Keep a small bucket in your sink or shower to catch water as it is warming up, use to water plants
• Raise your mower blade to at least 3 inches
• Repair leaky faucets
• Reuse tub water to water your plants
• Run your dishwasher only with full loads
• Turn off water while shaving or brushing your teeth
• Water lawns early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce loss from mid afternoon evaporation

Energy

• Keep thermostat at the same temperature all year round
• Turn off computers when not in use
• Turn off TV and Stereo when not in use
• Turn out lights when leaving a room
• Use Fluorescent or energy efficient lighting
• Weather- strip doors and windows

Clean Air Quality

Reduce your air pollution by trying one of these alternatives:

• Bike or walk to work and run short errands
• Car Pool
• Use non-aerosol products
• Use Public Transportation

Georgia Burn Ban May 1 through September 30 annually. More details are available. 

Recycling Benefits

Here are just a few thoughts:

• Compost made from yard trimmings helps to replenish depleted soils and retain moisture resulting in less frequent watering and healthier plants
• For every 3,700 tow liter plastic (PET) bottles recycled, a barrel of oil (42 gallons) is saved
• For every ton of glass recycled, we save over a ton of natural resources:
  • 1330 pounds of sand 
  • 151 pounds of feldspar
  • 433 pounds of limestone
  • 433 pounds of soda ash
• A paper mill uses 20% less energy to make paper form recovered fiber than from wool
• Recycling 1 pounds of steel saves enough energy to light a 60 watt bulb for 26 hours
• Recycling Aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy required to make it from raw bauxite
• Recycling creates some pretty cool new products, you might be writing on, eating food from, wearing, drinking from, walking on or driving in recycled content products everyday!
• Recycling one ton of paper saves 7000 gallons of water
• Recycling provides fiber / raw material for a large part of the world's paper and packaging production
• Using recycled content in packaging often saves the Manufacturer and Consumer money

For more information on recycling and its benefits, visit Georgia Recycles or America Recycles and Earth 911.