Reusing Resources

To protect our planet, it is important that we as individuals take steps to conserve and reuse resources. Not only will resource conservation help to slow down climate change, but it can also have a positive impact on our wallets. Here are some easy ways to conserve resources like soil, compost, water, and more.

As a professional Realtor® and certified EcoBroker™, I have rounded up the best online resources for the Environmentally-conscious citizens of Earth who want to learn more about reusing resources.

Composting

  • Home Composting – Information about composting your yard and kitchen wastes.
  • Apartment and Condo Composting – Guide to composting in your apartment or condo.
  • CompostGuide.com – A thorough guide to composting.
  • Zero Waste Sonoma – Information about home composting, different types of composting methods such as vermiculture, and more.
  • Composting101 – NRDC has worked to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities and is a great resource for all things compost.

Water

  • Sonoma Water – Take a virtual tour of the Sonoma Waste Water Treatment Plant and learn about the uses and benefits of our local recycled water.
  • Water Reuse – From the EPA, basic information on water recycling, water reuse regulations, and water reuse practices.
  • Water Reuse Research – The EPA’s guide on water reuse research, including resources on wastewater, non-potable water, and stormwater management.
  • The Water Cycle – From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), learn about the journey our water makes as a natural process of water recycling.
  • Interactive Water Cycle For Kids – From the United States Geological Survey, this is an interactive map for kids to learn about the intricate process of the water cycle.

Soil

  • The Forest and The Soil Cycle – From PBS Learning, this guide takes children through the life cycle of soil, how it is formed, and the importance of soil health.
  • Ecosystem Services of Soil – Learn about the important role that soil plays within its ecosystem, and the services that healthy soil offers.
  • Soil Health – From the United States Department of Agriculture, learn about the conservation science of soil, soil health, and practices on how to maintain healthy soil.

Energy

  • Wind Energy – From the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), take a look at how wind is used to produce electricity by converting the kinetic energy of air in motion into electricity.
  • Solar Energy – From the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, discover the power of solar energy, the costs of going solar, and the basics of going solar.
  • Geothermal Energy – National Geographic’s look at the powers of renewable geothermal energy.
  • Renewable Natural Gas – Learn about the impact of greenhouse gases and about the sustainability of Renewable Natural Gas.
  • Hydropower Energy – Energy.gov takes a look at Hydropower or hydroelectric power, one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity

Educational Resources