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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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