On the Road

• Do not top off your gas tank. (In New Jersey, ask the gas attendant to not top off your gas tank.)
• Carpool or take public transportation more frequently to reduce air pollution, especially in the summer.
  • NJDOT launches $100 gas card program for new carpools
• Do not idle your car (excessive is greater than 3 minutes…this is a NJ regulation!).
• Avoid using drive-thrus.
• Bike or walk to work, if possible.
• Do errands when there is less traffic (i.e., at night) and combine errands into one trip.
• Make informed purchases on cars: www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/, www.fueleconomy.gov/.
• Walk to church; walk to get groceries (substitute for using your car when possible).
• Tips to Save Gas, Improve Gas Mileage, and Save Money
  http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/17-tips.pdf
  • Avoid high speeds - “55 Saves Lives.”
  • Avoid carrying unneeded items in the trunk.
  • Go easy on the brakes and gas pedal.
  • Drive your car wisely and maintain it properly.
  • Use your air conditioning only when necessary
  • Use overdrive.
  • Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks.
  • Repair Excellence Council of New Jersey
  • NJDEP Bureau of Motor Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance
  • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
  • Keep your tires properly inflated.
• Ask your employer about rideshare programs, transit incentives for alternate modes of commuting to work, or an adjusted work schedule.
• Consider living in transit villages

In the Home/Office

• USEPA's Go Green! Monthly Newsletter (New!)
  • Buy rechargeable batteries
  • Energy Star computers
• Do not paint or use high VOC (volatile organic carbon) products on high ozone action days (hot summer days). You will know the VOC content by looking at the label on the product.
• Use cleaning products that contain fewer chemicals.
• Replace your wood stove or fireplace with an EPA certified one or purchase fireplace inserts
• Use a broom, rake, or electric-powered lawn care equipment rather than gas-powered equipment.
• In the winter, lower your thermostat a few degrees and use blankets or extra clothing to keep warm. In the summer, raise your thermostat and use fans to keep cool.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Weatherproof your home - use plastic, weather stripping, and/or seasonal curtains on windows, doors, and air conditioning units.
• If you are going to build a new home in New Jersey, build an Energy Star home:
  http://www.energystar.gov/.
• Use and buy only Energy Star products.
  More energy conservation tips can be found on the following web pages:
  • Tips to Save Energy for Consumers, http://www.energysavers.gov/ (Part of the National
    "Easy Ways to Save Energy" Campaign)
  • "Energy $avers" Guide, http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/ (Part of the National "Easy Ways to Save Energy" Campaign)

In the Know (Educate Yourself and Your Kids)

• Teach kids about air pollution: http://www.epa.gov/kids/air.htm.
• Teaching energy conservation in the classroom
• Free educational materials on air pollution: http://www.intheair.org/
• "What can I do to protect the ozone layer?" http://www.epa.gov/ozone/resource/indiv.html
• Inform yourself on air quality in your area: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/r2k.htm.
• Listen to Radio Public Service Announcements:
  
  • The Department of Energy released three radio public service announcements in English
    and Spanish that provide easy tips for saving energy. These public services
    announcements will be distributed to nearly 4,500 radio stations across the country by
    the Alliance to Save Energy. (Part of the National "Easy Ways to Save Energy"
    Campaign)
    
• Learn through fun activities:
  
• The Energy Hog Program, http://www.energyhog.org/
• Air Defenders, http://www.airdefenders.org
  

Multi-Media Pollution Prevention

• Instead of pesticides, use alternative pest control methods ("integrated pest management"), such as biological and mechanical controls. Try substituting a mixture of ground up garlic and onions as a pesticide alternative for vegetable gardens.
• Reduce pesticide use by reading and following label instructions carefully.
• Buy clothing that doesn't require dry cleaning. For dry cleaning, use garment care services that don't use perchloroethylene.
• Purchase products made from recycled materials.
• Purchase products that can be recycled
• Purchase products with the least amount of packaging.
• Buy in bulk, refillables and concentrates.
• NJDEP Pollution Prevention and Right to Know
• USEPA Pollution Prevention