In your yard
- Use an electric, reel/push or newer, cleaner gas mower to reduce emissions.
- Maintain your mower: keep the underside free of grass build-up and change the air filter, oil and corroded spark plugs at least once each season.
- Avoid spills and drips by using a funnel to refuel equipment.
- Reduce lawn watering and fertilizing to discourage fast/excessive growth.
- Avoid using gas-powered yard equipment (e.g., trimmers, weeders), which have high emissions.
- When ready to grill outdoors, avoid using lighter fluid. It vaporizes and contributes to ozone formation. Use an electric starter or charcoal chimney instead of petroleum distillate charcoal lighter fluids, which emit harmful vapors.
- Reschedule or delay lawn mowing using gas-powered equipment until after 6 p.m. An old, 2-cycle, gas-powered lawn mower produces as much pollution as driving 65 miles.
Around the house
- Avoid solvent-based products, which have pollution causing vapors (VOCs). Avoid spray paint and use water-based paint, stain and sealants.
- Tightly cap all solvents (e.g., gasoline, paint thinners, strippers) and store in a cool place.
- Avoid painting, stripping and refinishing during summer heat.
- Avoid using flammable household products like floor wax, furniture polish, insect foggers, fabric cleaners and protectants. They contain harmful solvents.
- If you must use a solvent-based product, use it late in the day.
- Conserve energy by using energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, and turn lights off when you are not using them.
- Avoid open burning. Reduce waste, reuse and recycle.
On the road
- When refueling your car, stop when the nozzle shuts off. Don’t overfill or drip fuel.
- Refuel after dusk or in the evening to avoid evaporation.
- Keep your car tuned up and tires well inflated. Regular vehicle maintenance can reduce your car’s emissions by half and improve gas mileage.
- Avoid idling. Turn your engine off while waiting in lines or if you’ll be idle more than 30 seconds.
- Save money and reduce both air pollution and traffic congestion by walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transit to get around. You could even telecommute.
- Drive less by planning ahead: combine errands, delay trips, carpool (or vanpool), walk, bike or use public transportation.
- Refuel after 6 p.m. or wait until the sun goes down, if possible. This will avoid the sun’s impact on gasoline vapors that would cause smog
