Eco-friendly Tips For Earth Day Week

Published Date: Apr 18, 2010

At System Pavers, we understand how important and precious our planet really is and we want to do our part to protect it. So, our friends at Ecology Fund have provided us with 10 great eco-friendly tips!! Plus, we added in a little about our eco-friendly turf.

Transportation: Bike, use public transit, carpool, drive slower, keep your tires inflated

One-third of all traffic is commuters. Use alternative transportation when possible. If you must drive, go slower with proper tire inflation. It saves both fuel and tires, and lowers emissions. It also saves lives.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost

Reusing packaging material saves more energy than recycling. By avoiding extra packaging, you save both energy and landfill space. Yard and kitchen waste (leaves/grass/vegetable scraps) are 30% of trash. Reduce this amount by composting. Also be sure to re-use plastic bags, or better yet... refuse plastic bags when you really need them.

Conserve water – (i.e. Install SP Turf)

Don't let faucets run. Never water your lawn at midday (or get SP Turf and eliminate lawn watering altogether). Place a brick in the water tank of your toilet. Take short, low-flow showers. Run the dishwasher only when it is full. Plant native or drought-tolerant garden plants. Let grass grow longer (or have a manicured, plush green look year round with SP Turf).

Don’t use pesticides/herbicides on your lawn

Along with nitrogen fertilizer runoff, these are major water pollutants. (With SP Turf, you will no longer have a need for pesticides anyway. Click HERE to check the facts!)

Quit Smoking

Second-hand smoke is a major indoor air pollutant and health hazard. When you quit, both you and your family will lead longer and healthier lives.

Eat less meat/eat more local and organic foods

Feedlots are a major source of organic pollution. Tropical forests are cut to raise beef.

Lower your thermostat in the winter. Raise it in the summer

Wearing a sweater in the winter and short sleeves in the summer saves energy and reduces pollution.

Volunteer/Lobby for the Environment

Work locally and globally to save natural places, reduce urban sprawl, lower pollution and prevent the destruction of wilderness areas for timber and oil.

Wash dishes by hand in a basin, and then use the dish water for outdoor gardens

With SP Turf, you won’t need to water your lawn, but this is great idea for the flowers and plants that accent your yard. Be sure to use a natural, non-toxic dish soap so you don't pour chemicals onto your lawn.

Teach children to love nature

Encourage the children in your life to get outdoors more. Take a walk in the woods, or plant trees which store CO2. Teaching our children to love and care for the planet is the most important thing we can do to insure the future of humankind.