Untitled Document

Maintaining your
Home and Garden
April Article from the Eugene Register Guard

Simple things we do around the house influence the quality of our environment. The Lane Area Pollution Prevention Coalition has compiled these simple tips to keep in mind while maintaining your home and garden to help prevent pollution in our community. Members of the Lane Area Pollution Prevention Coalition include: Cities of Eugene and Springfield, Lane County, EWEB, SUB, Energy Outlet, and the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission. For further information, visit the "House of Pollution Solutions" educational display in the Springfield City Hall through the month of April.

HOME MAINTENANCE & CLEANING

Always follow the directions on products which contain "Caution," "Warning," or "Danger," on the label. Use the product up or share it with a friend; otherwise, take it to Lane County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Call 682-4120 for an appointment.
Consider less toxic products for household cleaning jobs. For example, try a plunger to unstop a drain. Follow plunging with ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar; wait a few minutes, then follow with 2 quarts boiling water.
When washing cars with soap, park vehicle on grass or gravel so the soap can be absorbed by the soil. Better yet, take vehicle to a commercial car wash - they drain to the wastewater plant.
Use reusable rags rather than disposable paper towels. If paper towels are a personal preference, consider buying towels with the highest content of post-consumer recycled content.
Avoid aerosol sprays -- they contribute to air pollution. Pump spray bottles are better.
Do not pour any cleaning solutions down storm drains. They empty directly into rivers and streams.
Wood smoke is a source of air pollution. If you have a wood stove or a fireplace, use dry, seasoned wood and keep wood covered. Season all wood at least 6 months.
Look for energy efficient appliances the next time you purchase a new appliance.
Save energy and lower your utility bill -- insulate your home.

PAINTING

Make sure that nothing goes down the storm water drain.
Use high solid or latex paints. Look for low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints. This helps cut down on air pollution.
Be sure to dispose of paint properly. Latex paint can be dried out and thrown in the regular garbage for collection, while oil-based paints MUST be treated as hazardous waste, and taken to the Lane County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Call 682-4120 for an appointment.
Buy only enough paint to get the job done. Even if you run out during the project, mixing technologies are very accurate and can produce the same color over and over again.

GARDENING

Oil from lawnmowers cannot go down the storm drain or in the sink. Take it to any Lane County transfer station for free recycling.
Be sure to use fertilizers and pesticides as directed - do NOT over-apply - and do NOT apply just before it rains.
Try using a push mower or electric mower instead of the gas hog. They're quieter, too.
Use a worm bin to prevent food waste from going to the landfill or down the drain, and you'll have a superior soil amendment for house and yard plants.
Don't burn garbage or lawn debris. Take it to Lane County transfer stations in Glenwood, Cottage Grove or Florence, Lane Forest Products or Rexius for recycling. Compost yard debris yourself.
Try "xeriscaping" or landscaping with drought tolerant plants that require little water. The Springfield Utility Board has examples of xeriscapes at the utility's main office, 250 "A" Street, and at 10th & Main. Call 744-3601 for more information.
Limit the amount of water applied to lawns and gardens. For more information, visit the web sites of SUB (www.subutil.com) or EWEB (www.eweb.org).
Use brooms rather than leaf blowers or hoses to clean off sidewalks and walkways. Use a rake for leaves on the lawn.

AUTO CARE

Keep vehicles in good repair to prevent oil and antifreeze from leaking onto streets and into storm water drains. Take used motor oil and antifreeze to any Lane County transfer station for free recycling.
Don't warm up autos in winter for more than 5 minutes (if you need to warm up the car at all).
Ride your bike to work on occasion. If you can't ride, take the bus or carpool.

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