195 South Main Street
P. O. Box 66
Lake City, TN 37769
Phone: (865) 426-2838
Fax: (865) 426-8990
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Currently in Lake City
72°F and Fair |
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Saving our planet may seem like an overwhelming task, but even the simplest everyday activities can
make a real difference to the environment. At home, shopping or in the garden - take action for our
living planet by following some simple tips.
In your home, unplug electronic equipment like televisions and cell phone chargers when you're not
using them - if they are plugged in they are still using power and contributing to global warming.
To save water, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and collect the water used to wash vegetables
and salad to water your houseplants. Household batteries and electronics often contain dangerous chemicals
that may, if sent to a local landfill, leak through the bottom barrier and pollute the groundwater. Some
of the greatest threats to future resources come from things we throw away everyday so make sure to
properly dispose of used car batteries and other hazardous household wastes. The more we throw away,
the more space we take up in landfills. The less we throw away, the longer our landfills will last.
When going shopping, take your own bags to carry home your purchases. When selecting your products,
look for items with less packaging- including bottled water. Choose biodegradable cleaning products,
energy-efficient household appliances and recycled paper products. Before making a trip to the grocery
store, check out your local Farmers Market for locally grown food. Buying locally ensures fresher
food with more nutrients, keeps local, rural farmers in business and reduces environmental harm caused by
the many issues involved with the mass transportation of food.
In the garden, collect rainwater to water your flowers. When possible, plant local species of
trees and see what wildflowers naturally appear in your garden. Stop using chemical pesticides and try
to use natural products instead. Try to attract birds to your garden as they eat aphids and other
gardeners' pests.
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