BUSINESS AND GROUPS | Clean Air Michiana

We need people just like you to get involved, take action , and champion the cause for cleaner air.

BUSINESS AND GROUPS

As a business owner or manager, you have an important role in improving the air quality in Northern Indiana. Your actions set the example for your employees and show the community that you are doing your part to think green so we can all breathe easy.

Your business can also think green by becoming a Partner for Clean Air. This partnership exists between individuals, businesses, community organizations and government agencies. They all commit to doing their part to clean our air.

There are some things you can do as a business owner to enhance your work environment and to support your employees to think green in the workplace.

Ways BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATIONS Can Help

Replace incandescent lighting with compact fluorescents BUSINESS INDIVIDUAL AT HOME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Plant deciduous trees around your house to provide shade in the summer and to allow light in the winter INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Consider allowing employees to telecommute from home when possible BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Try fill up your car either early in the morning or later in the evening when it is typically cooler to reduce evaporation – and don’t top it off INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Avoid using boats, motorcycles, and other small engine vehicles on hot, sunny days INDIVIDUAL AT HOME ON THE ROAD

Buy energy efficient appliances INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Use paintbrushes or rollers instead of spray-painting to reduce the evaporation of paint fumes INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Install renewable energy source technology such as wind, geothermal, or solar BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Conserve energy in your home, which improves air quality by reducing energy needs from power plants INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Delay using lawn mowers and gas-powered tools. Small engines are a significant source of air pollution INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Maintain your vehicle and get regular engine tune-ups. Well-maintained vehicles create less pollution INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Avoid drive-thru windows and congested areas to save fuel and time INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

For short trips, walk or ride a bike INDIVIDUAL

Use household products and insecticides according to the manufacturer’s directions. Better yet, use simple substitutes (vinegar, baking soda, and borax) for cleaning and for pest control INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Reward carpoolers with preferred parking BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Turn off appliances and lights when not in use BUSINESS INDIVIDUAL AT HOME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Create a special lunch discount in your cafeteria to encourage lunch onsite BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Encourage employees to ride their bikes to work by providing bike racks or letting them keep their bikes indoors BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Turn off vehicles when loading or unloading for more than 30 seconds BUSINESS FLEET MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Choose water-based paints, stains, and sealers instead of similar oil-based products. If you must use oil-based coatings, ask about the availability of low-solvent versions INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Avoid refueling your car on Air Quality Action Days. If you must refuel, do so only after 7 PM when sunlight is not as strong INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Compost your yard waste INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Your car’s air conditioner can reduce gas mileage by 20%, so when possible, skip the AC INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

When you barbeque, use a charcoal chimney or electric starter instead of charcoal lighter fluid INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Close off unused areas of your home to reduce cooling needs INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Organize lunch deliveries from popular restaurants BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Buying a new car? Consider getting a model rated to get 35 mpg or more INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Keep tires properly inflated. Low pressure reduces gas mileage and the life of the tire INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Mow your lawn after 7 pm, especially on hot, sunny days INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Delay refueling fleet vehicles and equipment until late afternoon or the next day BUSINESS FLEET MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES

Assign a team or person to ensure that all lights and computers are off at the end of a workday BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Set all computers to sleep mode or to turn off, as opposed to using screen savers BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Avoid using oil-based paints, solvents, cleaners, varnishes, or other household and personal products that cause fumes INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph can increase your mileage by over 15% INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Put off using gas-powered tools on Air Quality Action Days. Small engines are a significant source of air pollution BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Set your thermostat 1-3 degrees lower in the winter and higher in the summer BUSINESS INDIVIDUAL AT HOME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Caulk, weather strip, and insulate your home. It will reduce summer cooling and winter heating bills INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Do not burn leaves and other yard waste INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Encourage flextime to reduce peak hour roadway congestion BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Use lawn rakes, push mowers, and hand hedgers when possible INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Turn off your car engine while waiting for a train to pass INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Use teleconferencing instead of driving to meetings BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Properly recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

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