How Can You Help?
What YOU Can do to Improve Air Quality
1. Drive less and avoid idling
Take public transit, carpool, walk and cycle to school or work. Not only will you be protecting your health, but you will be saving gas too.
2. Consider a cleaner vehicle such as electric
Incentive programs are available in BC to help you get the most out of trading in your car. Fully electric or plug-in hybrids are environmentally friendly.
3. Get regular tune-ups
Cars that are properly maintained run more efficiently, waste less fuel and produce less air pollution.
4. Choose electric garden and lawn tools
Electric garden and lawn tools are less noisy, require less maintenance, and are easy to use!
5. Avoid burning; use your compost bin
Open burning is a large contributor to particulate matter, which is harmful to your health. Did you know that 68% of waste sent to landfills is NOT garbage? If you do not have compost pickup, you can take your organics to a local organics drop-off site.
6. Swap your wood-burning stove
The FVRD’s Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program provides an incentive of $500 for replacing an old wood-burning appliance with a new EPA-certified appliance, a $750 rebate for replacing with a pellet stove appliance, or a $1000 rebate for switching to an electric heat pump.
7. Dry your wood
lf you are using a wood-burning appliance, ensure your wood is cut into small pieces and stored in a dry place. Keep your wood stove and fireplace clean.
8. Switch off your lights, computers, and electric appliances when not in use.
9. Buy local to reduce the distance for trucks to drive to deliver your produce. Attend your local farmer's market.
10. Take action
Start a local air quality management group in your neighbourhood or workplace. Support initiatives such as bike to work week or walk to school Wednesdays.