How To Reduce Pollution

Pollution takes place because of human activity. We create pollution so we should clean it up. The number one priority is to educate. Some may not know the damage caused by pollution and there are those who do not care. We cannot change everyone but we can do our part to reduce it. I have listed some ideas on how we can get involved and how to help your community look better. But we must remember that not all pollution is visible. Many chemicals and minerals cannot be seen but are present and doing a lot of harm to our ecosystem. So do not let what looks to be clean deceive you.

REPORTING ILLEGAL OR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

If you spot something that may not look right, it is your right to report it. We do not really see the whole picture and pollution activities can take place everywhere. Places you may least expect it to happen may be a large contributor to illegal pollution activities. Below is a short list of potential pollution sites. See important numbers at bottom of page.

• Sewage and drain pipes pollution
• Storm water pollution
• Construction areas
• Farm and agriculture pollution
• Industrial pollution 
• Mineral extraction pollution
• Residential pollution
• Commercial pollution
• Recreational pollution

Create documentations such as photos, videos, location, date and time.Do not enter private property or dangerous areas. Leave that to the authorities.Get PHOTOS, PHOTOS, PHOTOS!

REDUCE AND ELIMINATE POLLUTION

Run off is probably the largest contributor to local water pollution. As it rains, the moving water picks up and carries everything in its path. Instead of throwing items out, pass it along to someone else. A few sites where you can post items for free are Craig’s List and FreeCycle. This includes the following items. You can also drop off items at the local Goodwill and Salvation Army.

• Yard Waste: There are many options for this
• Recycle: Bag up yard waste for local recycling. In Columbus this can be achieved by checking the city schedule on their website.
• Compost: Make your own compost station. Check out this video on making your own compost area. Many cities such as Franklin County Soil and Water offer programs on composting and discounts on obtaining a compost cylinder.
• Salt: Winter brings ice and the salt and other chemicals used to eliminate the ice makes it way into our water. Read some alternatives on Huffington Post.
• Chemicals: Many chemicals used on yards such as pesticides and herbicides make their way in to our water. Try to reduce what is used or find safe alternatives. Also, do not dump anything into the storm drains. They get enough debris without us adding to it.
• Clean Up: If every resident would clean up debris found in their yard and the street in front of their home, this would eliminate much trash from making its way into the watershed. Remember to recycle the trash you pick up. Also, do not rely on local organizations to conduct clean ups. When at the park, trails, parking lots or anywhere, pick up trash and dispose of it properly. Do not forget those small cigarette butts.
• Washing Car: We all like to keep our cars clean but use biodegradable soap.
• Paint/Thinners: Do not dump this into the storm drains or throw in trash. If there is still paint in can, pass it along to someone who can use it. When can is empty, recycle it. Also, many places will take your paint for free such as SWACO or local home repair centers.
• Pets: Do not dispose of unwanted pets such as reptiles, fish and so forth into local water or woods.They are destructive to our local wildlife by competing for needed food and habitats. It can unbalance the local ecosystem. If you no longer want the pet, check you local pet shops or place it on sites such as Craig's List or FreeCycle. I will give you an example. Have you ever been to Blacklick Metro Park and see all the goldfish in the pond? They did not put them there. Someone decided they did not want them and dumped them in that pond. They have now taken over and the park is trying to eliminate them. This is an example of people dumping unwanted pets into the environment.
• Plants: Do not throw aquarium plants in local water or other unwanted plants into the ecosystem. These are called invasive plants and can do the same harm as unwanted pets. Many can start to grow earlier in spring before the local plants and thus competes for food and sun. This will prevent local plants from growing and can eventually kill off local plants. 
• Carpooling: When is the last time you carpooled, used a taxi, bus or public transportation, walked or rode a bike? If it has not been recent than it is time to make a change. The CO2 emissions from each vehicle add up and are quickly destroying our planet. 

RECYCLE

You can reducing the amount of trash by recycling much of your personal waste. In Columbus this can be achieved through Rumpke which handles the local recycle program. Recycling does not take that much time or work and you can reduce your trash by over 90%. What a relief for the landfills. Below are some things you can recycle.

• Glass Bottles & Jars (all colors)
• Metal Cans: Aluminum cans, steel cans and lids, empty aerosol cans with the lids and tips removed
• Plastic Bottles (empty, crush, reattach lid): Bottles and jugs that have a small mouth and wider base, such as milk jugs, soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles, water bottles, shampoo bottles and contact solution bottles
• Paper: newspaper, magazines, cardboard, mixed office paper and envelopes, paperboard (cereal boxes), pizza boxes free of food debris and grease, telephone books and catalogs
• Cartons: food and beverage cartons, such as milk, juice, soup, wine, broth and other cartons.

Other Ideas

• Reuse comics, posters, maps and fabrics to wrap gifts. Reuse ribbons, bows and gift bags. In the end you can recycle them.
• Donate unwanted decorations or lights to centers like Goodwill, Salvation Army or free community stores.
• Many items such as Christmas trees and wreaths can be composted at the curb. See Columbus schedule.
• Reuse leftovers or send dinner guests home with a meal.

NON-RECYCLABLE ITEMS

• Plastic Bags: Buy reusable cloth bags to take shopping and leave the plastic bags at the store. If you do use plastic bags, many stores such as Kroger have barrels at store exits where you can dispose of plastic bags. You can reuse the plastic bags by bringing them with you. Keep these bags out of the landfills.
• Car Batteries: Check with local shops who sell car batteries as some may take them back. You may also check with scrap yards as they may also take them.
  
• Small Batteries: Purchase rechargeable batteries to replace the disposable batteries.
• Oils: Many auto shops and car part stores take old oil and recycle it. So check with local shops to find a place to take them.
• Computer Monitors: Columbus usually has an annual; recycle day where you can dispose of your old electronics. There are also some companies who will take them though they may charge a small fee. If you do a Google search, many options come up such as the Goodwill.

SAVING ENERGY

• Turn off lights when you're the last one to leave a room.
• Switch to energy efficient, longer lasting LED bulbs.
• Have your heating and cooling system inspected by a qualified professional.
• Change furnace filters regularly according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Adjust the thermostat to save energy at night or when no one's at home.
• Unplug battery chargers when they're not charging anything.
• Take shorter showers.
• Fix water leaks as quickly as possible.
• Install water efficient showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Purchase only ENERGY STAR® certified high-efficiency appliances and devices.
• Use a timer on the holiday lights to save energy.
• Cut back water usage and install rain barrels for watering your plants. Check out Franklin Soil and Water. 

Americans throw away 25% more trash during the holidays than any other time of year? The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about one million extra tons per week (Green Spot)

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

Many people do what they can to help clean this planet. It all starts at home by helping within your community. It may be donating to a cause, volunteering or just taking your own steps in the areas I mentioned above. I would like to thank everyone for doing your part. Than there are those who say they care but do nothing about it. They continuously violate almost every area I mentioned above. So this is the time to make that step over and to become involved. Even if it just starts at home, you can make a difference. It would be nice if we could close down the community clean up projects because there is nothing left to clean. It is wishful thinking but it would be nice. Remember, our clean planet starts with you!

LOCAL REPORTING AND INFORMATION NUMBERS

Emergency

• Columbus Office of Emergency Preparedness 614-645-7089
• Columbus Fire Department 614-645-6387
• Emergency Management & Homeland Security (24 Hours) 614-794-0213
• Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District 614-486-9613

City of Columbus Sewer and Water Public Utilities

• Sewer emergencies (report discharge) 614-645-7102
• Water emergencies (report line breaks) 614-645-7788

Health Department

• Franklin County Public Health 614-525-3160
• Franklin County Sanitary Engineers 614-525-3940

Parks and Green Spaces

• Franklin County Metroparks 614-891-0700
• Columbus Recreation and Parks 614-645-3300

Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio 614-871-5100
City of Columbus Recycling 614-645-3111

NATIONAL REPORTING AND INFORMATION NUMBERS

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5

• Report an Environmental Crime/Spill 1-800-282-9378
• Central District Office 614-728-3778
• Environmental Emergency Response 614-728-3821
• Non-Emergency Environmental Reports 1-800-686-8930
• Solid Waste Complaints 614-728-3890
• Hazardous Waste Complaints 614-728-3887
• Air Pollution Complaints for Franklin County 614-728-3805
• Air Pollution Complaints for Asbestos 614-995-0671

Coastguard

• National Response Center 1-800-424-8802

U.S. Department of Agriculture

• Natural Resource Conservation Services 614-674-6759

MORE IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Active Dumping
614-871-5322
Police: 911

Dead or Threatened Organisms
ODNR Division of Wildlife: 330-644-2293

Strong Odor
Ohio EPA Emergency Hotline: 800-282-9378

Unusual Color Over Large Area
Ohio EPA Harmful Algae Bloom Form: 614-644-2160
ODNR Abandoned Land Management: 614-265-6633

Chemical and Petroleum Spills
Ohio EPA: 800-282-9378 (24 hotline)

Sewage Related Pollution
Franklin County Public Health: 614-525-3965 (24 hotline)

Agricultural or Manure Related Pollution
Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation: 614-486-9613

Injured Animal
ODNR Division of Wildlife: 800-WILDLIFE or 614-644-3925
Ohio Wildlife Center: 614-793-9453

Poaching
Ohio Division of Wildlife: 800-POACHER (762-2437)

Criminal or Hazards on Trail
Metro Park Rangers 614-620-1865