Requirement 7 (A)
Requirement
Determine five ways to conserve resources or use resources more efficiently in your home, school, or camp. Practice at least two of these methods for at least one week.
Pollution Prevention and Resource Recovery
Pollution prevention and resource recovery focus on reducing the amount of waste we create and making better use of the materials we already have. Recycling plays an important role in this effort, especially with paper products, which are made from trees. In the United States, about 40 percent of used paper is recovered and recycled, helping reduce deforestation, while countries such as Mexico, Denmark, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan recycle more than 70 percent of their waste paper. Plastics, however, present a greater challenge because they are made from petroleum, do not biodegrade, and make up about 20 percent of municipal solid waste. Their many types and the high cost of recycling mean that reducing plastic use is often more effective than recycling it.
One of the most effective ways to prevent pollution and conserve resources is by following the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reducing waste by choosing products with less packaging, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials like paper, glass, aluminum, and plastics can significantly decrease landfill waste and conserve energy and natural resources. Simple daily actions, such as composting food scraps, saving water and electricity, using reusable containers, and choosing environmentally friendly products, help lower pollution levels and protect the environment. Together, these practices encourage responsible use of resources and support a healthier planet for future generations.
10 Tips To Save Water
10 Tips To Help the Environment
Ideas To Conserve Resources
Turn off lights, fans, radios, and televisions when leaving a room—even if you are going to be gone only a few minutes.
Shut off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth or washing your face.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle paper products, glass, aluminum, steel, and plastic items.
Save water and energy by running the dishwasher and the washing machine only when they are full.
If you wash dishes by hand, rinse them in a sink or dishpan of water rather than under running water.
Ask your parent or guardian about installing water-saving showerheads in your home if you don’t already have them.
Suggest that your family eat fewer meals that include meat. The production and processing of grains requires far less water and land than does meat.
If you notice leaky faucets or pipes, ask if you can help fix them.
Ask your family’s permission to lower the thermostat. If each American household were to lower its average heating temperature by 6 degrees over a 24-hour period each day, the equivalent of 500,000 barrels of oil would be saved.
Encourage your family to replace incandescent lightbulbs with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LEDs use up to 90% less energy and can last 25 times longer than standard bulbs, significantly lowering both energy bills and waste.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code of ethics teach us to respect our surrounding environment, minimize waste, and use resources wisely. One example is how Scouts never litter, whether in their home, school, or neighborhood or at camp. By reducing trash, reusing materials, and conserving water and energy, Scouts help prevent pollution and protect natural areas. These habits ensure that outdoor spaces remain as they are and enjoyable for future visitors.
Template
Select one of the methods of habit tracking below to create a template.
Once you’ve picked your five ways to conserve resources, think about how you will practice at least two of these methods for at least one week. Why not create a habit tracker on paper or digitally so that you have a record of your efforts?
Watch a video on how to create a habit tracker in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel as one way to record your week. This can be easily adapted to other spreadsheet software. Why not keep going and see how much difference you can make in a month or a year!
Or use one of the free habit tracking apps discussed in this article.
Helpful Tips
- Determine key times and locations when you will implement your new conservation habits.
- Put up a reminder where you will see it easily.
- Set up the environment so it is easy to take action.
- Give yourself a reward after you undertake your new habit.
- Don’t miss twice. If you forget your new conservation habit, get back on track straightaway the next time you should do it.
- Find an accountability partner and message each other every day about your new habit’s success or failure. Motivate each other to keep going.
Now that you have learned five different ways to conserve resources,
let’s learn how to explain resource recovery and why it is important to reduce pollution.
