Many of you do many things each and every day to maintain and improve our environment. Here is a reminder of some of the steps we can take to improve the State of Our Environment:
- Walk, bike, or use public transportation. Tele-conference instead of driving to meetings.
- If you drive, maintain your vehicle. A well-tuned car emits less pollution. Drive at moderate speeds and avoid "jack rabbit" starts and stops. Avoid topping off your tank when refueling - it leads to spills.
- Check for Ozone Action Alerts. Sign up for Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's EnviroFlash for automated email updates and ozone alerts in your area . Consider car-pooling or taking public transportation, especially when ozone alerts are in effect. Defer using other gas powered lawn equipment on an Action! Day. Small engines usually have inefficient emission-control systems. Also, avoid idling at fast food restaurants, banks or other locations on Action! Days.
- Save electricity. Adjust air conditioner temperature a few degrees higher. Turn off appliances & lights when not in use. Purchase energy efficient appliances and products.
- Dispose of products safely. Don’t pour household toxics such as oil, paint and pesticides down the drain. These chemicals could harm the microorganisms that are used to treat the water.
- Use phosphate-free laundry detergent. This reduces the amount of phosphorous that must be removed at the waste water treatment plant. Most liquid detergents are phosphate free; just check the label.
- Do not flush unused medications. Over the counter and prescription medicines have been found in rivers. Disposing of unused medication in the trash will reduce the levels entering the wastewater plant and being discharged into the river. Read the County's publication on proper prescription drug and personal care product disposal.
- Call the water treatment plant immediately if you turn on the water faucet and nothing comes out. This will help us to quickly assess the nature and extent of the problem and take corrective action.
- Turn off the tap. The average bathroom faucet flows at a rate of two gallons per minute. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth in the morning and at bedtime can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, which equals 240 gallons a month!
- Use alternative modes of transportation. Try the bus, dust off your bike or walk to work.
- Consider alternative fuels. Try using biodisel or E10 (10% ethanol). Buy that flex-fuel vehicle in preparation for E85. Find a local alternative fueling station.
- Drive efficiently. Keep your tires properly inflated. Drive smoothly and avoid fast starts and stops Buying a new car? Make fuel efficiency a priority and consider hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles and biodiesels! Combine trips when running errands.
- Reduce your ecological footprint. Although population is an indicator of resource pressure, arguably a better indicator is the total acres of earth required to maintain 1 person's individual lifestyle. If every person on the planet reduced their total footprint, a population increase will not cause as much strain on the larger natural environment as it would otherwise.
- Get involved in public planning workshops - communicate your long-term vision of the community with City staff and other residents. The Tree Town Log contains timely information about upcoming public meetings and events. (From the City News page, click on the Tree Town Log PDF; updated monthly.)
- Support Smart Growth. As households per acre or individuals per household increases in well-planned urban areas, this generally causes less resource pressure than increased population in less developed areas.
- Visit the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market.
- Become a shareholder in a community supported agriculture movement.
- Tell your grocery store you want to support local farmers and encourage the store to buy local products.
- Dispose of products safely. Don’t pour household toxics such as oil, paint and pesticides down the drain. These chemicals could harm the microorganisms that are used to treat the water.
- Use phosphate-free laundry detergent. This reduces the amount of phosphorous that must be removed at the waste water treatment plant. Most liquid detergents are phosphate free; just check the label.
- Do not flush unused medications. Over the counter and prescription medicines have been found in rivers. Disposing of unused medication in the trash will reduce the levels entering the wastewater plant and being discharged into the river. Read the County's publication on proper prescription drug and personal care product disposal.
- Reduce your carbon footprint. Use EPA’s personal greenhouse gas emissions calculator and your household energy bills to estimate your household’s annual emissions and identify ways you can cut your emissions.
- Purchase carbon credits to offset any CO 2 emissions you can't live without. Compare different carbon credit vendors.
- Conduct a home energy audit. Homeowners can contact the Ann Arbor ReUse Center’s Environmental House to learn about getting a home energy audit.
- Conservation First. Not using it? Turn it off! Unplug appliances, including cell phone and laptop chargers when not in use.
- Purchase energy efficient appliances. Purchase Energy Star appliances. Take shorter or cooler showers. Install low-flow showerheads.
- Temperature control makes a big difference. Dial it down in winter and up in summer: every degree can save you up to 3% off your bill. Install a programmable thermostat. Upgrade your home’s insulation and weather stripping. Turn your water heater down to 120°F and insulate your pipes.
- Move to Renewable Energy. Buy green electricity. Watch your local utility for a green power program or visit the US Dept. of Energy’s Green Power Network website for other options. Put up a small wind turbine.
- Use the Sun. Look into solar water heating. Incorporate passive solar design into your new home! Install photovoltaic panels. Use sun-shading trees and window overhangs to reduce summer cooling costs. Contact the Ann Arbor ReUse Center’s Environmental House to learn about solar options in Ann Arbor.