| How to Pick Up Litter Posted: 20 Jul 2019 01:00 AM PDT Litter presents a threat to wildlife and public health. If you want to make a difference in your community, take it upon yourself to pick up trash and waste around your city. Choose a location that you feel is most affected by litter. Then, gather the necessary materials, such as trash bags, a pick-up stick, and a safety vest. To make your pick-up day successful, sort the litter you find for recycling. Every little bit counts when you do your part to keep your area clean! EditChoosing a Location for Litter Cleanup - Pick up litter on the roadways to keep streets safe. U.S. roadways are littered with a variety of waste, with the most common trash items being tobacco products (cigarette butts), paper, and plastic. Highways, roadways, and side streets are all common litter sites because motorists tend to throw trash and waste out of vehicle windows. Litter on the streets can be a safety hazard, as waste can damage cars that drive over it, blow into motorists' windshields, or even catch fire.[1]
- Always use extreme caution when picking up trash on roadways– never pick up litter in the middle of the street. Wear safety vests and only pick up in the daytime so that you are clearly visible to motorists.
- Remove litter near transition points to keep businesses and public services tidy. Transition points include entrances to businesses or public services that prohibit certain items, like movie theaters, stadiums, or buses. The most common trash found by transportation points are confections (candy and gum) and cigarette butts. Heavily populated retail areas by shopping centers and convenience stores also create a lot of opportunities for littering.[2]
- Always ask permission from the store owner or manager before proceeding if picking up litter in front of a privately owned business.
- Look for litter in recreational areas while camping or hiking. Places where people congregate for leisure, such as parks and beaches, accumulate litter very quickly. Choose to pick up litter in these recreational areas to keep them looking nice and welcoming for locals and tourists– and to protect surrounding wildlife![3]
- Ocean trash is a serious problem that can not only affect that appearance of our public beaches but can also affect the health of people and wildlife. If you plan on taking a trip to the beach, be prepared by bringing a couple of trash bags along with you to pick up excess garbage.
- Prevent litter from polluting our oceans by picking up trash near storm drains. Storm drains are designed to drain excess rain from our streets. Excess litter can block the drains, causing streets to flood. When trash gets into the drains, it can end up washing up on beaches or in our oceans. The most common items found by storm drains are cigarette butts, food wrappers, and plastic bottles.[4]
- Only remove surface debris from a storm drain using gloves or a rake. Never reach your hand in the catch basin or attempt to remove a grate.[5]
- Do not attempt to clear the drain when there is standing water. It can carry disease and be a breeding ground for mosquitos.
- Join a volunteer organization to clean up litter in your neighborhood. Conduct a Google search to find volunteer litter pickups in your area. Some cities conduct annual neighborhood cleanups in designated areas. You can also volunteer for roadway trash pickup programs such as Adopt-A-Highway or Sponsor-A-Highway. This is a great way to keep your city clean with the help of your neighbors and friends.[6]
- Cleaning up litter in groups is recommended, and can ultimately accomplish a lot more cleaning. Advertise the event on social media to get more people involved.
EditUsing Necessary Tools and Safety Materials - Use a litter pick-up stick to pick up trash from the ground. One of the handiest tools for the trash removal is a pick-up stick. It is designed so you can grab the trash without bending down or touching it with your hands. Some sticks have a lever to open and close a clamp that grabs the trash, while others have sharp metal parts that pierce the trash and lift it off of the ground.[7]
- Look online to find the best pick up stick that meets your litter cleanup needs.
- Wear a reflective safety vest near roadways to increase your visibility. Safety vests come in bright fluorescent colors, such as yellow, green, or orange. Vests with reflective strips increase your visibility and help you stand out against your surroundings. It is very important that you wear this clothing at all times when collecting litter near roadways. The bright and reflective colors will alert motorists that people are working nearby.[8]
- Carry multiple trash bags to collect and sort all of the litter. When picking up trash, you're going to need something to put it all in. You may come across garbage or recycling bins, but in the event that you don't you'll need to carry multiple heavy-duty trash bags with you during your pickup.[9]
- Purchase a bag handle or holder online that will make carrying multiple bags more convenient.
- Wear sturdy gloves to protect your hands. When picking up litter, it is recommended that you wear thick, gardening gloves. If you come across something that your pick-up stick is unable to grab, you may need to pick it up with your hands. Gardening gloves will protect your hands from germs and bacteria or anything sharp.[10]
EditPicking Up the Litter - Dress appropriately for the weather. Since you're going to be outside for a good percentage of the day, pay attention to the weather forecast. If the sun is out and you live in a warm climate, make sure to wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your face and neck from sun damage.[11]
- Always wear close-toed shoes to protect your feet no matter what the weather.
- Wear bug repellant to avoid mosquito bites while you're picking up litter.
- Use multiple bags to sort litter for recycling. When cleaning up trash, it is important to recycle in order to reduce the amount of waste in our environment. Many items are recyclable but should be placed in separate recycling bins. You can use 4 trash bags as you clean to separate litter into the following categories: metals, paper, plastic, and bottles.[12]
- Metals include things like soda cans, soup cans, foil, and bakeware.
- Paper products should include cardboard, magazines, newspapers, and juice cartons.
- Plastic should only be recycled if it is clean. If you find plastic bottles with liquid inside, even if it's just a small amount, throw it away in a garbage bin. Plastic bags also should not be placed in recycling bins.[13]
- Avoid and report hazardous materials. Certain waste products should be avoided when you're picking up litter, as they may be harmful. If you see any of the following items, do not pick them up. Instead, report them to the local council or landowner:[14]
- Needles
- Human waste
- Personal hygiene products (condoms, tampons, etc.)
- Electrical items
- Dead animals
- Bottles of liquid
- Unlabeled bottles
- Potentially dangerous chemicals
- Use caution when working on roadways. Work during the day so cars passing are able to see you, and never pick up trash in the middle of the street.
- Be very careful when picking up sharp objects. You should always wear sturdy gloves, or avoid picking up objects with your hands altogether by using a pickup stick.
- Don't pick up hazardous materials, such as razor blades, syringes, animal carcasses, and condoms.[15]
EditReferences
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| How to Steam Pears Posted: 19 Jul 2019 05:00 PM PDT All steamed foods are cooked over simmering water, and pears or no different. First, wash, peel, chop, and core your pears. Then, just boil some water, place your pears on top, and wait for your pears to soften. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can opt to steam your pears in the microwave. Steamed pears can be made into a delicious dessert or pureed for baby food. However you decide to prepare your steamed pears, just know that you're in for a delicious treat. EditPeeling and Cutting the Pears - Choose pears that are smooth, shiny, and firm. When you're choosing pears for your steaming, make sure they are ripe and not rotten. The best way to choose good pears is to pick them up, feel them, and to look for any dark bruising. Good pears will be smooth and firm, but not too hard. Choose pears with bright, shiny skin. Some light bruising is normal, but dark bruising may mean the pear is mushy and will go bad quickly.[1]
- Some pears are sold unripe, and this is okay. Unripe pears feel very hard when you squeeze them. You can ripen your pears at home by storing them in a paper bag at room temperature with a ripe banana or apple. Depending on the type of pears you bought, this may take 4-10 days.
- Bartlett pears are similar to bananas; they change color from green to yellow when they are ripe and ready to eat.[2]
- The best types of pears to stem are bosc, Anjou, and French butter pears because they tend to keep their shape when cooked.[3]
- Wash and soak your pears in cold water and vinegar. Before eating any kind of fruit or vegetable, it is important to thoroughly wash them. Vinegar can be used to wash fruit because it will completely remove bacteria. To wash your pears, fill up your clean sink with water and add of vinegar. Add your pears and stir all of them together in the sink. Let them soak for 10 minutes to remove the wax and dirty film that covers the pears. Rinse the pears with water cool water after they've finished soaking.[4]
- Make sure your sink is clean before soaking the pears. All you need to do is wipe the sink down with liquid dish soap on a clean, damp cloth. Rinse the soap from the sink when you're finished cleaning.
- Dry your pears off when you're finished soaking them.
- Remove the skin with a vegetable peeler. Before steaming your pears, you'll want to peel the skin. To use a vegetable peeler, hold the pear in one hand and the peeler in the other. Use the peeler scrape the skin off from the top of the pear down to the bottom. Continue this motion of peeling from the top to the bottom of the pear, working your way around until all of the skin is gone.[5]
- If you don't have a vegetable peeler, you can use a paring knife for easy peeling. Use the knife in the same way as the vegetable peeler by slowly cutting away the skin. Make sure to cut away from your body.
- Core and chop the pears. To core a pear, lay it down on its side and use a knife to cut right down the middle lengthwise. Once it's cut in half use a knife to cut out the stem on the bottom. Use your fingers to pull out the stem and its string at the top of the pear. Then, using a small spoon or melon baller, scoop out the core in the center. Finally, cut your pear into slices or quarters, depending on what your recipe calls for.[6]
- The core is a small, round area that contains the seeds.
EditSteaming Your Pears on the Stove - Fill your pan with of water and set to boil. Steaming pears, or any food for that matter, does not require much water. All you'll need is in the bottom of the pan. Set it on the stove and put it on medium-high until it starts to boil.[7]
- Place the pears in the steamer basket over the boiling water. As the water continues to boil, put your pear slices in the steamer basket and place them in the pan. Since you only put or so of water in the pan, your pears won't be touching the water. Cover your pan with a lid and let the pears steam.[8]
- Steam the pears for 5-15 minutes until they are tender. The time it takes for your pears to tenderize depends on how small you cut the pieces. If you kept your pears in halves, it may take 10-12 minutes. If you cut your pears into small cubes, it may take as little as 5 minutes for them to be tender. When they're ready, they should pierce easily with a toothpick.[9]
- Leave them in the steamer for up to 15 minutes for puree or baby food.
- Remove your pears from the heat to cool down. Once your pears are tender to your liking, remove the pan from the stove so they can cool down. It's important to let them cool completely before further preparing or serving.[10]
EditUsing a Microwave - Place the sliced pears in a microwave-safe container. Make sure the dish you use for steaming is microwave-safe. Stick with glass, ceramic, or plastic containers labeled "microwave-safe." The container you choose needs to have an air-tight lid, and it must be big enough to hold all of your pears. Place your pears inside, making sure they have enough room and you're able to fit the lid securely on top.[11]
- Avoid cold-storage plastic bowls, foam-insulated bowls, and dishes with metallic paint or trim.[12]
- Add of water and cover the dish. After you add the pears, pour in of water at the bottom of the bowl. The water provides moisture for the pears to steam. Put the lid on the container over the pears, making sure it is secure.[13]
- Microwave the pears on high for 3 minutes, then stir them. Place the container in the microwave and set for 3 minutes. Make sure to set your microwave to the highest power level. After the first 3 minutes are up, take the container out and stir the pears and water with a spoon.[14]
- Be very careful when you take the container out of the microwave, it will be very hot. Let it cool down for a minute before you take it out to stir the pears.
- Put the pears back in the microwave for an additional 3-6 minutes. After stirring, put the container back in the microwave for additional steaming. The amount of time you steam the pears depends on the size of the pear slices. If you left the pears in halves, cook for longer; up to 6 minutes. If you cut the pears into small pieces, microwave for 3 minutes.[15]
- Check the pears once they're finished in the microwave make sure they are tender. If not, put the lid back on and microwave for another minute.
EditThings You'll Need EditPreparing the Pears - 4 ripe pears
- Paring knife
- Vegetable peeler
- Spoon or melon baller
EditSteaming Your Pears on the Stove EditSteaming Pears in the Microwave - Microwave-safe dish with lid
- Water
EditResources
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| How to Block Out Noise Posted: 19 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT Whether it's street sounds keeping you from sleeping or office chatter disrupting your focus at work, unwanted noise can be a real annoyance. But there are ways to block out that noise! For instance, there are a lot of simple measures you can take to better soundproof your office, bedroom, or entire home. Or, you can use things like earplugs, headphones, and white noise emitters to counteract annoying sounds wherever you may be. EditSoundproofing Your Space - Place heavy curtains over any windows. Even when they're closed, windows often provide the easiest route for exterior noises to make their way inside. Try hanging curtains made of heavyweight fabric over the windows—they'll help to deaden the sound waves that penetrate the glass.[1]
- Textured fabrics like velvet or microfiber work best, and pleats or ruffles in the curtains are also beneficial.
- As a temporary measure, you can also hang blankets or towels over windows.[2]
- Lightweight curtains will not provide nearly the same amount of soundproofing, but they will let in more light.
- Roll up towels against door bottoms. If there is enough of a gap for daylight or a draft to sneak under your closed door, there's room for sound waves to come in as well. Simply roll up a bath towel and place it against the bottom of the door.[3]
- You can also roll up a small area rug or a large sweatshirt.
- Hang textured fabrics on the walls. Soft and fluffy materials with an uneven surface absorb sound waves much more effectively than solid, smooth walls. Use hooks, clips, or other methods to hang quilts, woven rugs, or similar fabrics along walls where noise penetration is an issue. They can be both decorative and functional![4]
- Try to keep hanging fabrics out of direct sunlight, especially if they are expensive. Sunlight coming through a window can fade the colors.
- Move furniture up against the walls. Tall bookcases, cabinets, and wardrobes in particular can really help deaden sounds that penetrate a wall. You're essentially thickening the wall and reducing the ability of the sound waves to pass through.[5]
- Cut and slide sheets of rigid or flexible foam behind the furniture to further increase the soundproofing.
- For maximum effect, you could add a built-in bookcase that spans an entire shared wall. Filling the shelves with books will only further enhance the soundproofing impact.
- Use plush furniture with cushions and pillows. If you've ever moved, you've probably noticed that an empty room has an echo that disappears once it's furnished. Soft pieces of furniture like couches are particularly helpful at deadening sounds, but even just adding a few pillows can be an improvement.[6]
- So, in theory, letting dirty clothes pile up in your bedroom may provide some soundproofing benefits. But don't expect your parents to buy this excuse!
- Add carpeting or rugs to the floor. Like adding furniture in the room, floor coverings help to reduce echoes that increase the impact of noise infiltration. Also, if the troublesome noise is coming from below, they'll help reduce the amount of sound that makes it into your area in the first place.[7]
- The thicker the floor covering, the greater the impact. So consider going retro with some 1970s-style shag carpeting!
- Seal up spots of air infiltration. If air can get in from outside, so too can noise. Check around windows in particular for holes, cracks, or gaps where you can feel air coming through. Use caulk or other sealants to plug up these spots.[8]
- Check around electrical outlets on exterior walls as well.
- Especially if you have older, single-pane windows, adding storm windows to the outside or clear plastic sheeting to the inside will help with both air and noise infiltration.
- Add insulation inside walls. If you live in an older home with walls that are uninsulated or poorly insulated, sound waves will have a much easier time penetrating your living space. Consider hiring a company to add blown-in insulation to the interior of your walls. It may seem like a pricey investment for soundproofing, but you'll also save quite a bit on your heating and cooling costs.[9]
- Whenever you're building new walls, exterior walls should always be well insulated. But insulating interior walls as well will provide noticeable noise blocking benefits.
- Skip pricey acoustic panels, except for ceiling applications. In reality, acoustic panels that you hang on walls and ceilings are better at keeping sound in the room than keeping it out of the room. So, when it comes to blocking outside noises, you may find that you don't get significantly better results than you can with much cheaper alternatives (like hanging curtains or quilts).[10]
- However, if the offending noise is coming through your ceiling, for instance from a noisy upstairs neighbor, hanging acoustic panels according to the product instructions is likely your best option. Building a second, lower ceiling with insulation in between is a less practical alternative.
- You can go all-out and invest in constructing a sound-proof room to get better results, but this isn't practical or cost-effective in most cases.
EditTuning Out Distracting Noises - Turn on a fan or white noise generator. Most people find sounds with a lot of variation—such as people talking—distracting, while consistent sounds are much less so. The consistent hum of a fan, for instance, can help block out distracting noises without being distracting itself.[11]
- If a fan doesn't do enough to counter bothersome noises, you might want to invest in a white noise generator. These machines produce consistent sounds that are specifically intended to help block out distractions.
- Play nature sounds or ambient music. These work similarly to fans or white noise machines, but have a bit more sound variation. CDs or apps of nature sounds like falling rain or ocean waves can block out unwanted noise and be soothing in their own right.[12]
- When it comes to music, think "elevator music"—light acoustical pieces that tend to fade into the background.
- Use earplugs or hearing protection earmuffs. If you don't want or need to hear anything, your best bet is to block sound waves from entering your ears. Soft foam earplugs are cheap and will contour nicely to your outer ear canal. You may get even better results from hearing protection earmuffs meant for use when operating power tools and the like. Look for them in hardware stores and home centers.[13]
- These methods are likely to be more practical when you're studying in your room, and less so when you're working in your office and need to hear the phone ring, etc.
- Download a self-adjusting white noise app. There are plenty of white noise apps available for download, but look for ones that use your smartphone's microphone to self-adjust the white noise to suit the ambient noise. You'll hardly notice the subtle shifts in the white noise, but the adjustments will do a better job of blocking exterior sounds.[14]
- For maximum impact, consider playing the white noise app through your earbuds, then placing hearing protection earmuffs over your ears and the earbuds.
- Invest in noise canceling headphones. As the name indicates, these types of headphones are designed to cancel out exterior noises while allowing you to listen to your chosen music, nature sounds, white noise, etc. They are a particularly good choice for air travel or commuting on public transportation.[15]
- Most of the higher-quality brands of noise canceling headphones run in the range of $200-$300 (or more) USD.[16]
- Some models have buttons that allow you to let in external sounds—for instance, so you can hear a flight attendant.
- Seek assistance dealing with noise sensitivity. You probably have particular noises that really bother you, causing a reaction that goes beyond the impact of the actual noise. For instance, you may be very distracted by the faint sound of a dog barking, due perhaps to a history of bad experiences or other factors. For this type of noise sensitivity, you may benefit from professional assistance.[17]
- Consider visiting a licensed mental health professional, who might utilize techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce your response to particular noises.
- While there isn't much evidence to support it, some people believe that hypnosis therapy can help with noise sensitivity.
EditReferences
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