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Listed Below Are A Dozen Green Ways
You Can Reduce Air Pollution In Your Community
1. Keep Memphis in Tune
Repairing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. For example, repairing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage as much as 40 percent!
2. Stop at the Click
When refueling your vehicle, "Stop at the Click." One ounce of spilled gasoline will evaporate to produce the same ozone-producing VOC emissions as a car driving 56 miles.
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3. Keep up the Pressure
You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. If you are unsure what your tire pressure should be, check your owner's manual.
4. Link your Trips
When you start your car after it's been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine is warm. That's why combining errands into one sensible trip is more effective and reduces air pollution. This means more time in your life, less traffic congestion and less pollution - which all adds up to cleaner air.
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5. Mow when the Sun is Low
Gallon for gallon - or, given the size of lawnmower tanks, quart for quart - 2006 lawn mower engines contribute 93 times more smog-forming emissions than a 2006 car engine.
6. Don't Stand Idle: Be a Memphis Idol for Cleaner Air
If you're going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds (except in on-going traffic), you'll save fuel and money by turning off the vehicle and then restarting it when you're ready to drive again. Every 30 minutes of idling costs you nearly one-tenth of a gallon in wasted fuel - and more than three-tenths of a gallon if your vehicle has an eight-cylinder engine.
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7. Lawn Care: Go Low Maintenance and Go Electric or Manual
Consider using plants in your yard that require less lawn maintenance. When purchasing a lawn mower, trimmer, or edger consider manual or electric.
Operating a typical (4 HP) gasoline-powered lawnmower for one hour produces as much smog-forming hydrocarbons as driving an average car almost 200 miles under average conditions. Gasoline-powered string trimmers are actually more polluting than lawn mowers.
8. Don't Marinate with Lighter Fluid
An estimated 46,250 tons (42,000 Mg) of charcoal lighter fluid is used in the U.S. each year. And VOCs contribute to the formation of ozone.
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9. Bright Idea! - Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Swap your orndinary light bulbs for a compact fluorescent bulb.
The energy saved by using fluorescent bulb could reduce the amount of coal burned to produce energy in a power plant by at least 600 pounds. As coal burns, it produces an unhealthy mix of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and sulfur oxide.
10. Share the Ride
Consider carpooling, mass transit, biking, or walking to reduce air pollution and improve your health. You will reduce your stress from driving in traffic and the amount of money leaving your wallet!
Even if you do it just once or twice a week, you will reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save money. The average driver spends about 56 cents per mile including ownership and maintenance.
Call and sign up for the Memphis Area Rideshare Program at (901) 379-7840 or 379-RIDE. Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Memphis Area Rideshare Program click here.
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11. Take it Slow
Driving a typical passenger vehicle at 75 miles per hour uses 18% more gasoline than driving at 65 miles per hour, and 31% more gasoline than driving at 55 miles per hour.
12. "Can" the Spray Cans
Aerosol spray cans, cleaners and solvents may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which form ozone.
Ounce for ounce, spray-on product sold in aerosol cans is about twice the cost of bulk product. You pay for propellants in every aerosol can (10 to 15 percent by weight).
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