Today, fortunately, we are paying a bit more attention to how our actions impact the environment. For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint around the house, one of the best places to start is the garage. Here are some suggestions on how you can create a greener garage.
Keep the car in the garage
Even if you vow to do this only one day per week, the benefits (personal and environmental) can really add up. Choose one of these alternatives.- Take mass transit. Leave the driving to someone else. Catch up on some reading or get a little work done while commuting, and forget about having to find a parking space.
- Telecommute. If your employer is agreeable, work from home. Many find that they can be much more productive when they are away from the distractions and interruptions of the office environment.
- Share a ride. Commute with a group. Take turns using each others' cars, and discover how much more enjoyable it can be having someone to talk to while stuck in traffic.
- Use your feet. Walk or jog to your destination. Many office buildings are now installing showers to allow those who work up a good sweat on their way to work to clean up before heading to their office.
- Ride a bike. You can get around town in a hurry on a bicycle, while using no gas and getting a good workout in the process.
Make your car more efficient
When you must use the car, squeeze every drop of gas possible out of each mile you travel. Here are a couple of easy ways to cut fuel costs.- Inflate the tires. Underinflated tires cause the car to burn more gas (they are also unsafe). Keep tires inflated to the pressure recommended for your specific car; you can usually find this information on a label in a door jamb or the glove compartment. Check the pressure in your tires monthly, while the tires are cold.
- Change the air filter. Changing the oil filter is a common part of every oil change, but the air filter is often overlooked. A dirty air filter can significantly reduce fuel efficiency. Check your owners manual for instructions.
Keep the hose in the garage
A lot of water is wasted through the end of a garden hose. Here are some tips.- Water the lawn less. Before turning on the sprinkler, ask yourself if it is really necessary. If it is, don't water too much. Set a timer to remind you to move the sprinkler or shut off the water, or use a sprinkler timer. Even better, hand water rather than using a sprinkler.
- Wash the car less. A lot of dirt can be washed off of a car by simply letting it sit outside in the rain. When it needs washing, consider using a car wash that uses recycled water. If you wash at home, use a bucket rather than a running hose except for the final rinse.
- Use the broom. Do you really need to use your hose to clean off the driveway and sidewalk? Probably not. A broom can do the job just as effectively.
Adjust your mowing habits
Gas-powered lawn mowers tend to be noisy and very inefficient gas guzzlers. Here are several things you can do to reduce the harmful effects.- Mow less often. By letting grass grow higher (to, say, three inches before cutting), you allow each blade to develop a deeper root system, which in turn creates a healthier lawn that will naturally resist weed growth (thus reducing the need for herbicides).
- Change your mower. Electric lawn mowers continue to improve in quality and affordability. They are quiet and require much lower operating expenses than a gas mower. For small lawns, a manual reel mower is even more energy efficient.
Dispose properly
The garage is often where numerous hazardous materials are stored. Using and disposing of these materials in an environmentally sound manner is one of the greenest acts you can take, on Earth Day and every other day. The EPA has a lot of information on what you can do with hazardous household waste.- Handle the hazards. Old paint, cleaning products and motor oil are classified as hazardous materials. Don't toss them into your garbage can. Instead, dispose of them at a proper hazardous waste facility. Check with your local solid waste or recycling center for instructions.
- Read the labels. Not sure whether a product is hazardous or not? You can usually find out by simply reading the label, paying particular attention to disposal instructions.
