Ideas, tips and resources for making environmentally responsible choices in your daily life

10 Things You Can Do to Help The Environment Right Now:

• Gas up after dusk
  
  Wait until dark - refueling in the evening
  is an easy way to cut ozone pollution
  Refueling any motorized vehicle allows the escape of vapors that, on summer days, can lead to ozone formation. Simply waiting until dusk to refuel can reduce this phenomenon. Ozone damages crops, forests, structures, and human health.
  
• Vacation closer to home
  Airplanes emit the highest amounts of greenhouse gases of any form of transportation. With all the parks, forests campgrounds and recreation areas in New York, a great outdoor vacation is never far away. 
• Be careful when fueling lawn equipment
  According to the EPA, about 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled each year while filling mowers and other lawn equipment. That's more than the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez. Take care when filling gas cans as well.
• Use only local campfire wood
  Harmful invasive insect species can be introduced to a new area if they are hiding in firewood that is brought in from off-site. Eggs and immature larvae are often hard to spot. Use only wood gathered in the area or supplied by the campground.
• Bring your own bottle AND water
  In 2007,over 8.8 billion gallons of bottled waters was sold in the U.S. Making these bottles used 17 million barrels of oil and over 26 billion gallons of water. Less than 20% of water bottles are recycled. Recycle bottled water containers or better yet, fill your own reusable bottle with tap water. 
• Leave young wildlife alone If you come upon a seemingly "abandoned" young bird, rabbit, fawn, or other wildlife, don't try to rescue it or take it home as a pet. It will be fine. The parents are likely not far away - probably waiting for you to leave.
• Wash your car on the grass
  Soapy water will sink into the lawn instead of running down the driveway into the storm drain. Save water by using a hose nozzle and turning off the water when not needed.
• Let the grass grow
  
  This state-of-the-art reel mower emits no pollutants or greenhouse gases and will make your lawn look great
  Unlike cars, lawn mowers are not equipped with catalytic converters. Cutting the grass for an hour emits the same air pollution as driving a car 100 miles. Reconsider how much lawn you really need. Let your lawn grow to 2½ to 3 inches. Better for the lawn and the environment.
• Reduce water use on lawns and gardens
  Half the water used by the typical home will be put on the landscape. Sprinklers waste water due to evaporation and wind drift. Use drip irrigation systems instead. Water deeply, once a week, if there's less than 1 inch of rain, to encourage deeper, more drought-resistant root systems.
• Your trash is someone's treasure
  Why pay to have your stuff hauled away? Hold a tag sale. If tag sales are not your style, donate items to charity, libraries, schools or second hand stores. Soiled or torn clothing, blankets, curtains and even single socks can be brought to a textile drive if there is one in your area
  

Myth Busters

Common environmental misconceptions and myths exposed and explained by DEC experts.

Do septic system additives work?

Q: Do septic system additives advertised as cleaners, activators, uncloggers, or restorers really work?

A: The short answer is NO.

At least 1.3 million households in New York State have septic systems. When they are working properly, septic systems keep harmful organisms out of our waters and protect our health.

We've all seen ads that claim adding commercial powders, liquids or granules to septic systems will increase their efficiency, extend their lives, eliminate the need for pumping, or restore failing systems. According the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these types of products have not been proven effective. Some can actually interfere with the treatment process and contribute to septic system failure.

The life of a properly installed and maintained septic system and drainage field is about 20-30 years. A home septic system is a significant investment, and a failed one is expensive to replace. To get the most out of your investment and extend its life:

- Have the tank pumped and inspected regularly

- Put only biodegradable wastes into the system
- Restrict garbage disposal use
- Conserve water in the home and repair any leaking faucets      and toilets
- Don't plant trees or build over the drainage field