Ecopedia part 7
ByLow-Flow Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures that dramatically decrease the amount of water released per use are deemed “low-flow” or “low-flush.” These fixtures apply just enough water to be effective, which in turn saves excess, clean, drinking water that usually ends up down the drain. Toilets are one of the primary sources of wasted water, accounting for 40% of water use in a home with older models using up to six gallons per flush. Low-flush toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush or less and are just as useful as older models that waste significantly more. Faucets and showerheads are also water-wasting offenders, showerheads account for 18% of indoor water use and 37% of the average home’s hot water use.
Installing low-flush or dual-flush toilets and flow-reducing faucets and showerheads can significantly decrease a home’s water use and ultimately reduce your monthly water bill.
Non-renewable resource
A non-renewable resource is a natural resource like natural gas, oil, and coal, which cannot be produced, re-grown, regenerated, or reused on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. Non-renewable resources often exist in a fixed amount, or are consumed much more quickly than nature can recreate them. Fossil Fuels have high carbon content because their origin lies in the photosynthetic activity of plants millions of years ago. These fuels release this carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The rate at which such fuels are being burned result in a rise in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Organic
Organic can refer to anything produced naturally ranging from food to textiles to cosmetics in the context of sustainability. Organic foods do not use any artificial pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, fertilizers, or additives. Organic foods are not genetically modified. Organic meats are fed only products grown under these conditions, and animals are provided outdoor access. Organic cosmetics originate from organic plants, and organic textiles adhere to similar regulations. Organic foods are grown with natural crop rotation techniques and promote healthy soil, organic cosmetics are often gentler on your skin and ultimately better for your health, and organic textiles are free from pesticides that leach into the soil.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is cotton that is harvested without pesticides from plants which are not genetically modified. Conventional cotton accounts for 25% of the chemical pesticides and 10% of herbicides used worldwide yet occupies only 3% of the world’s farmland. Some of the most toxic pesticides are used on cotton, and these enter our food chain through foods containing cottonseed oil. To make one t-shirt, 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and other chemicals are used. Organic cotton is 100% natural and uses NO chemicals in the cultivation of the crop or the conversion of the crop into clothing.
Paper
Paper is made from wood pulp which is made from trees and water. Paper is the most common form of waste. Much of it can be recycled but that requires more energy to process it. If you use less paper it will save energy, trees, waste and the chemicals needed in the manufacturing process.
