Pollution Prevention Starts at Home

There are many ways you can prevent pollution at home. If we each do a little, it can add up to a lot. Here are just a few ideas of things you can try:

Use Less Toxic Products

If you change your own oil, recycle the used oil at a service station or recycling center. Many landfills also accept used oil for recycling.
When purchasing cleaning supplies, buy as little as you need. Buy less-toxic or nontoxic supplies. Baking soda and water can be used in place of ammonia-based all-purpose cleaners. Instead of purchasing a drain cleaner, mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup vinegar.
Use non-toxic glue and water-based markers for your arts and crafts projects.
Use a baking soda paste as a general stain remover. Rub chalk on grease stains prior to washing. Apply butter or margarine to chocolate stains, let set at least 15 minutes and wash.
Use herbs, set out a small dish of vanilla or leave an open box of baking soda in the room as an air freshener.
Give leftover household hazardous products to someone who can use them (i.e., paints, pesticides, cleaning products, etc.).
Use cedar blocks or chips instead of moth balls.
Use red chili pepper, paprika, or dried peppermint to repel ants.
Use cat litter or sand instead of salt on icy walks.
Find out which companies in your area practice pollution prevention, and patronize their businesses (e.g. Strathmore Products, Passano Paints, Harden Furniture, United States Postal Service, Carrier, Garden Way [Troy-Bilt]).
Pass the pollution prevention message along and let others know what they can do to prevent pollution. Encourage others to follow these practices.

Conserve Energy

Keep your car well tuned. This will conserve gasoline and reduce harmful emissions. Buy only as much auto fluid as you will use up.
Turn off lights when you leave the room to save energy and money. One fourth of the energy generated in America is used for lighting.
Walk, carpool or ride your bike when possible. Americans make the equivalent of three million trips to the moon and back each year in cars, using up natural resources and polluting the air.
Turn the water off when you brush your teeth.
Only run full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher.

Create Less Waste

Instead of buying sandwich bags and brown paper bags for lunches, pack lunches in reusable containers and reusable bags. Use durable reusable bags when you go shopping, too.
Buy durable appliances and electronic equipment that last longer and can be repaired. Help keep these items out of our landfills by repairing instead of disposing.
Buy in bulk and avoid products with over packaging. About 1/3 of our garbage is packaging which is thrown out immediately.
Purchase rechargeable batteries. Reduce the amount of trash going into our landfills and help keep toxic metals out too. Some batteries, especially the small "button" types and rechargeables, can be recycled.
Use the Sunday comics or magazine pictures for gift wrap. About 40% of America's garbage is paper.
Buy products that contain recycled materials.

Any comments or questions?
Contact us at: 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750;
518-402-9469 (phone); 518-402-9168 (fax)