Homeowners: Make Green Improvements

Friday, 29 February 2008

Home improvement projects use many different materials and can generate a lot of waste. Dispose of materials such as drywall, concrete, and mortar in the trash, and never wash them into the street. Cover excavated materials, stockpiles of asphalt, sand and yard clippings, and dumpsters with plastic tarps to prevent rain and wind from transporting these contaminants into storm drains. If possible, save grading and excavating projects for dry weather.

When selecting paints, try to choose a water-based paint. Water-based paints are less toxic to the environment than oil-based paints, and brushes can be cleaned directly in the sink. Paint thinner is required to clean brushes used with oil-based paint. Although thinner can be filtered and reused, it cannot be poured down the sink, placed in the trash, and definitely can't be put in the storm drain! It must be disposed of through a household hazardous waste program.

Save water by using a broom rather than a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. By sweeping up dirt and debris instead of hosing down the pavement, you help to reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering our creeks, bays, and ocean.

Sweep up any leaves and grass cuttings from your gutters and nearby storm drains. If this organic material is allowed to enter storm drains, it depletes the oxygen in the water as it decomposes. This essentially suffocates fish, as they need this oxygen to survive. Similarly, remove trash and litter from your yard so it doesn't wash into storm drains and end up in the bay or ocean.