Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Reducing, reusing, and recycling save resources and help cut pollution.

Fact: Recycling takes less energy than making things from scratch. Every container made from recycled aluminum saves enough energy to power a television for three hours.

Don't Idle Your Car Engine
When you idle a car engine, it releases dangerous fumes. Next time you're at a drive through, remind your parents that idling is bad for the environment and your health.

Fact: One vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at school, five days a week for a month, releases three pounds of pollution into the air. Air pollution causes asthma attacks and other breathing difficulties.

Drive Less
Instead of driving alone, try walking, biking, riding the bus, carpooling, or vanpooling. If you do, you'll save money and help keep our air clean.

Fact: On-road vehicles account for up to 50% of Central Texas' air pollution.

Conserve Water
Check all water faucets and appliances for leaks. Fixing leaks saves water and money. And try these tips to help water quality:

• Use biodegradable detergents/cleaning products
  
• Use as few garden pesticides and fertilizers as possible
• Never pour chemicals down a drain
• Use unbleached toilet paper
• Keep gutters clean
• Use a compost bin instead of a garbage disposal

Fact: More than half our drinking water comes from underground aquifers. The rest comes from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

Learn more ways you, your family, and your friends can help Austin's environment.