Managing outdoor waste
If you’ve mastered your indoor waste, give yourself a pat on the back. And now you’re ready to tackle the refuse from your garage and yard. Here’s how:
Choose environmentally friendly products
For maintenance around the outside of your home, go for products that are certified green or biodegradable. Instead of chemical fertilizer, buy the natural kind.
Set up a compost bin in your garden
Not only will it reduce the amount of household waste, you can also get rid of dead leaves and other garden residue by throwing it in. The extra added bonus is the resulting fertilizer that you can add to your plants and lawn.
Use natural alternatives to pesticides
Pull out weeds by hand or use a dutch hoe; remove insects by hand or blast them with your hose’s nozzle. To prevent cutworms from severing shoots, create a collar around the shoots by opening a tin can at both ends then pushing it partially into the soil. Attract carnivorous birds and insects to your garden. Also try companion planting, which will keep away some insects. And if you find you must resort to a pesticide, ask the sales representative about the least harmful products. Buy no more than the amount you need.
Recycle an old garden hose
A soaker hose is the most efficient way to water your garden as it delivers water straight to the plants’ roots with a minimum of evaporation. You can make one by puncturing your old hose and laying it near the plants on the watering days assigned by your town or city.
Use hand tools
For example, use a hand edge trimmer instead of a power one or a rake or broom instead of a leaf blower – you won’t have to buy gas and you won’t be polluting.
Clean wisely
The soapy water you use to wash your car could end up in storm sewers and contaminate them. In addition to the detergent, it carries traces of fuel, oil or chemical products from your vehicle or driveway. The solution is to have your vehicle washed at a car wash that has taken steps to respect the environment. Some car washes actually have a water recycling system that collects pollutants to keep them out of the sewer system. Check to see if there are any car washes like that near where you live. If you prefer washing your car yourself, use a pail and sponge rather than a continuous flow of water, as well as a phosphate-free cleaner. In addition to saving water, you’ll have some control over wastewater. Similarly, sweep your driveway rather than hose it down.
Recover rainwater in a barrel
Use the water you collect in it to wash your car or water your plants.
Use rags instead of paper towels
In addition to being reusable, rags do a better job than paper towels to clean things like the barbecue and garden furniture or to wipe off your engine’s dipstick.
Dispose of used oil, oil filters and antifreeze safely
These liquids contain toxic substances that are very bad for the environment. Do not burn them or throw them in the garbage, down the drain or into the storm sewer. Bring them to a garage that recovers such liquids, to a recycling centre or put them out for the hazardous materials collection. The same goes for old car batteries, as they contain hazardous material.
Don’t throw out your old tires
Bring them to your mechanic or automobile dealer, most of whom are registered with the Recyc-Québec tire-recovery service.
Have a garage sale
If your garage is full of “junk” like old bicycles, sporting goods, garden furniture and garden accessories, maybe it’s time for a major housecleaning and a garage sale for the things you don’t need anymore but are still in good condition. The rest you can send to the hazardous waste site.
Sources: Environment Canada, Recyc-Québec and the Fondation Québécoise en Environnement
Original article by Jacqueline Simoneau
Translated by John Woolfrey
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