1- Limit Your Driving
- Avoid driving during peak traffic periods when stop-and-go traffic is at its worst.
- Try not to drive at all, especially during the morning and early afternoon.
- Plan ahead, organize your trips. Combine several errands into one trip.
- Take your lunch to work to avoid lunch trips.
- Consider other commute options such as public transit, shared-ride, and teleworking at home.
2- Drive Emission wise
- If you must drive, use the least polluting of your vehicles.
- Where available, use clean fuels. Avoid excessive idling, and areas of congestion.
- Stop and start evenly.
- Drive at a steady speed. Drive at medium speeds. Use your air conditioner wisely.
- Travel light.
- Consider fuel efficiency and emissions when buying a new car.
3- Refuel Carefully
- Refuel after 6:00 p.m., if possible.
- Avoid spills and don’t try to top off your tank.
4- Maintain Your Vehicle
- Engine performance, emission control systems, and tire inflation are important.
- Don’t remove or tamper with pollution controls. Comply with the local auto inspection and emissions testing program.
- Follow your owner’s manual.
- Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks.
- Use an energy-conserving grade of motor oil. An EC multigrade can improve your mileage by as much as 1.5 percent.
5- Live Emissions wise
- Buy low emission household products.
- Buy electric or fuel-efficient motorized equipment.
- Conserve electricity.
- Avoid spilling gas when refueling gasoline-powered lawn, garden, farm, and construction equipment and boats.
- Properly dispose of household paints solvents, and pesticides.
- Seal containers tightly.
- Reduce waste.
6- Delay or Reschedule Lawncare
- Reschedule or delay lawn care employing gas-powered equipment until after 6:00 p.m. An old 2-cycle gas-powered lawn mower produces as much pollution when it is operating as 70 new cars.
7- Postpone Oil-Based Paint and Solvent Use
- Where possible, use aqueous (water) based products.
- Avoid oil-based paint and solvent use on days when elevated ozone levels are expected.
8- Barbecue with Electric or Chimney Starters
- Avoid the use of lighter fluid, since it vaporizes into the air and can contribute to ozone formation.
- Your food will also taste better.
9- Conserve Energy in Your Home
- Conserving electricity reduces air pollution caused by power plants.
- Purchase energy efficient heating and air-conditioning systems.
- Purchase energy efficient appliances.
- Make sure you home is well-insulated.
- Be mindful of energy conservation when you set your thermostat.
- Purchase energy efficient lighting.
- Purchase Energy Star labeled office equipment. Each year, enough electricity can be saved by using Energy Star labeled office equipment in a single home office (with a computer, printer, and fax) to light an entire home for more than 2 years.
- Where available, participate in your local energy conservation programs.
10- Spread the Word
- Learn about local efforts and issues.
- Learn what you can do to help clear the air.
- Share what you learn.
- Let people know you care.
- Join a community group that is working to improve air quality.
- Improve air quality through voluntary actions.
- Creat a public awareness and promote individual responsibility through education.
- Provide credible measures of air quality improvement efforts.
