How to contribute to a cleaner San Mateo

Almost everyone living in San Mateo contributes to the suffocating smog. Painting, driving, even the kind of consumer products used can release emissions that create air pollution. During the summers, due to warmer temperatures, this becomes a bigger hassle than ever. Fortunately, everyone can do their part to help keep the air clean. Here are some solutions that can keep the atmosphere healthy:

Driving less

Cars are a major cause of air pollution. Before getting into a vehicle to get groceries, or even traveling to work, think of other alternatives of transportation. Can the destination be reached by biking, walking, or using public transit instead of driving alone? If a person leaves a personal car home one day a week, he/she prevents about fifty pounds of air pollution annually from being produced. This also applies to those who are physically impaired and cannot take normal cabs. Using a non-medical transportation van rather than one’s own van is extremely beneficial to the environment.

Vanpool / Carpool

Whether driving to the gym, work, a baseball game or the beach, finding a carpool partner is a great idea. One can take turns driving or can hire a car jointly. Some counties and employers also have a Guaranteed Ride Home program that offers car or taxis vouchers to carpoolers/vanpoolers and transit-takers. There are also several non medical transportation providers that offer the facility of van pooling.

Refuel a vehicle in the evening and avoid topping off

Putting gas in a vehicle emits VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the air. During the day, these compounds mix with NOx or oxides of nitrogen in the air, burn in the heat of summer, and form low-level ozone.

Refueling during the evening reduces the likelihood of VOCs to form in ozone.

Working from home or Telecommuting

Why commute at all if telecommutes can be arranged? Office goers and business men can easily save a lot of money and time by doing so. Whether they plan to do this full-time or one day a month, they sure will make a difference to the environment.

Trip-link

Cold engines tend to pollute a lot more than warm engines. Hence, whenever feasible, it’s good to perform all errands together in one trip to reduce cold starts.

Avoid any consumer spray products

About forty five tons of pollution is caused by spray products alone in the Bay Area. These aerosol products comprise of furniture polish, hairspray, cooking sprays, air fresheners, bathroom cleaners, antiperspirants, hobby craft sprays and insecticides. When choosing consumer products, one must consider buying other forms instead. Sticks, solids, and gels are friendlier in comparison to others.

Oil-based paints and varnishes contain a high quantity of VOCs that tend to evaporate in the atmosphere and produce smog. Water-based paints are also easy to remove from hands and brushes.

One must use thick fluid during barbecue as lighter fluid tends to go up in smoke, creating half-ton of smog every day. Making use of a chimney briquette or an electric starter gets a quicker start.

Gasoline-powered mowers produce more pollution than forty new cars. It’s best to put off lawn care and then get a good workout by pushing the classic hand mower.

Such small steps towards a better tomorrow are sure to make a big difference. If we cut down on our traveling or use environmentally friendly non medical transportation vans and taxis then we will be adding value to the environment. There are several providers in San Mateo that offer such services at competitive prices to ensure everyone can afford them.