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1. |
Buy only latex/water
based paint and don’t buy more than you need. |
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The Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) in oil-based paints cause air pollution. New latex
paints provide equal quality and because they are water-based, cleanup is easy.
Look for “Zero-VOC” paints, which are the least polluting. Paint is the biggest
household waste stream—so buy only what you need. Bring your leftover paint to
the
Household Hazardous Waste Center.
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2. |
Light your barbeque with an
electric or chimney starter. |
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Both of
these alternatives are cheaper, both make lighting a fire easier and more
reliable—and you’ll never run out of lighter fluid. Charcoal lighter fluid
causes air pollution and it is very flammable. Bring your leftover fluid to the
Household Hazardous Waste Center. |
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3. |
Replace your mercury thermometers and thermostat. |
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Buy a new
non-mercury digital thermometer for the medicine cabinet and one for the kitchen.
Replace your mercury thermostat with a programmable one—you’ll save on heating
and cooling costs too! Even a few drops from a broken thermometer or thermostat
can raise mercury air concentrations in a room to unsafe levels. Bring any
mercury-containing items you have to the
Household Hazardous Waste Center
(don’t wait for them to break!). |
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4. |
Buy environmentally friendly
automotive products. |
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Ask your mechanic
to use
re-refined oil
and safer propylene glycol antifreeze.
To ensure that you’re getting high-quality re-refined oil, look for the API
Certification seal. |
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5. |
Don’t buy another disposable battery.
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Buy rechargeables and start
replacing your battery-powered electronics with products that have integrated
rechargeable batteries. When you’re done with any battery, bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste Center. |
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