Reducing Pollution and Saving Money on Earth Day

As we honor Earth Day this weekend, many of you may be considering your own impact on the environment. What are some ways I can reduce waste and pollution, while also saving money? Considering your driving habits is a great place to start. A University of Toronto study suggested that just a quarter of older or poorly-maintained cars cause a majority of pollution.

With that in mind, individual upkeep of cars can have a significant impact on the environment. What can you do to help?

1. Reduce extra weight

Cleaning the inside and outside of your car can significantly improve your fuel efficiency. For example, roof racks reduce fuel economy by causing wind resistance. You can trade your rack out for a rear-mounted cargo box to save on gas and to reduce your waste.

2. Don’t idle

Idling uses more fuel than restarting your car. Your car even releases more pollutants while idling than when driving. So if you need to stop for a few minutes, consider turning your car off.

3. Look out for Ozone Alert Days

These warnings will alert you to high concentrations of ozone near the ground that make it more difficult to breath. To reduce impact on the environment, consider ride-sharing or taking public transportation on these days. If you need to drive, make sure to refuel in the evening. Also be careful to avoid spilling any gas, which could quickly convert into ozone pollutants on alert days.

You can track air quality near your house at AirNow.

4. Watch your speed

Try to avoid accelerating quickly and overusing the brakes. You reduce wear and tear on your car and increase your fuel efficiency by maintaining a steady speed.

5. Recycle your auto parts

You can recycle tires, batteries, and tons of other parts on your car. This might help you earn some extra cash, and then items such as tires can be reused for playgrounds or turf. For more information on how to recycle car parts, research local ordinances or check out this helpful article.

6. Keep your car in top shape

Make sure you keep your tires inflated. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel use and may cause an accident. Also keep an eye on your gas cap. Faulty gas caps could cost you extra money in fuel evaporation and contribute to pollution.