Pollution Prevention Team TipsConsume less. And think about what you do choose to buy. Just about everything we eat, wear, and use in our daily lives has some kind of impact on our environment. The most effective thing you can do to prevent pollution is to consume less stuff. Think about what you buy. Do you really need it? Is there an alternative product? Consider non-toxic household cleaners, non-disposable goods, rerefined motor oil, and products made from or packaged in recycled materials. If you do need to buy hazardous materials, buy small quantities, use them properly and dispose of the remainder responsibly. Never pour chemicals on the ground, in the gutter, or down the storm drain. Santa Barbara area residents can use the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center on the UCSB campus to dispose of unwanted paint, solvents, pesticides, anti-freeze, motor oil, household cleaners and other household and business chemicals. (Call 963-0583 ext. 105 for hours and directions.) In addition, more than 50 collection centers in the County will accept used motor oil for free. Call 800-670-7645 for the location nearest you. The City of Lompoc's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility located at 1585 North "V" Street is open by appointment to dispose of household hazardous wastes for residents of Lompoc, Mesa Oaks, Mission Hills, and Vandenberg Village. Call 736-1261, ext. 8021 or 8024 to make an appointment. Avoid using pesticides indoors and outdoors whenever you can. Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers can be carried into the creeks and storms drains when you over water, or when it rains. Try using least-toxic lawn and garden care products. Read the directions and use the smallest amounts needed. Landscape with native plants that don't require chemical fertilizers and excess water. For a free guide on least-toxic gardening, call 963-0583. Help reduce pollution and keep our creeks and ocean clean. Use a broom to sweep your driveway (rinsing your walkway with a
hose can wash pollutants into the street where they make their way into the storm drain). Reduce, re-use and recycle. Every day more than 1,500 tons of trash are thrown into landfills in Santa Barbara County. Help lengthen the life of our landfills by taking advantage of your community's recycling and yard waste collection programs. If you find it too daunting to initiate a full recycling program all at once, focus first on the big items — yard clippings constitute more than a quarter of the average household waste, while paper comprises more than a third of the average office waste. For more information on recycling, call 568-3051. City of Lompoc residents can call 736-1261. Use less energy. You will reduce air pollution and save money too. The average American family’s energy use creates more than 11,200 pounds of air pollutants each year. Choose renewable electricity. The next time you go car shopping, think about the air. There are many low- emission and super low-emission models of all kinds on the market today, made by the major car companies. There are also electric cars and trucks, and soon there will be hybrid gas-electric cars on the market. You may not be aware that some new vehicle types, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), minivans and light trucks, can be much higher-polluting than cars. To find out more, see www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ccbg/ccbg.htm, or call 961-8833. Leave your car at home sometimes. Carpool, bike, walk, vanpool or ride the bus to work or school to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. For more information, call Traffic Solutions at 963-SAVE, or visit: www.trafficsolutions.info.
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