Department of Environment & Conservation
Robert Martineau, Commissioner

Back to the TP3 Households front page.
What are the TP3 Levels and how can I progress?
How can I conserve energy in the home?
What is hazardous in the home and how can I reduce it?
How can I practice land and water conservation?
What resources are there to help me reduce, reuse, and recycle?

Air quality is very closely related to energy conservation in many ways, but there are some things that can be done at home or with your car that can be beneficial.

Take part in the Green Power Switch where possible (TVA Green Power Switch ) which promotes the creation and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, and landfill methane. Maintain your car regularly. Under inflated tires can lead to lower mileage and more fuel use. Consider an alternative fuel or gas-electric hybrid vehicle on your next car purchase. E-85 fuel is made from corn and is considered a renewable fuel. Hybrid vehicles use a combination of electric motors and gasoline engines to achieve rates of 50 to 60 miles per gallon. For more information, check out the Governor's Ethanol Coalilition or the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition Rideshare, carpool, use the bus, ride a bicycle, or walkCombine errands into one trip to limit travel. Avoid mowing lawns during the heat of the day. Be aware of Ozone Alert Days and reduce potentially polluting activites accordingly (EnviroFlash). Use a reel mower for smaller yards rather than a gasoline mower. For one, you won't need to worry about storing gas for the mower. Traditional gas mowers can produce as much pollution as 43 cards driven 12,000 miles. (People Powered Machines )Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials that can add particle pollution to the air. Compost yard waste and turn something you once threw away into nutrient-rich top soil. Plus burn permits are often required in your community and burning trash is against the law in TN (Open Burning brochure).

Links for additional information:

EnviroFlash
EPA Air Actions at Home
The Homeowners Guide - The page contains several tabs with information on recycling, energy efficiency, and other resources as well as disaster preparedness.
Governor's Ethanol Coalilition
National Ethanol Coalition
Open Burning brochure
People Powered Machines
TDOT Public Transportation information page
TDOT Smart Commute
TP3 Member success stories on Clean Air
TVA Green Power Switch

If you have a source of information that you think would be helpful, please send us an email with a link to the information.

For more information about the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership, please contact Curtis Hopper at 615-253-1729 or 1-800-734-3619 or by email at Pollution.prevention@tn.gov.