This week, September 15-21, is Pollution Prevention Week.  Also known as “P2″, the week long effort began in California in 1993 before it was nationally-recognized by President Bill Clinton.  This  year’s theme is “Where Sustainable Practices Begin”- a reminder that the best way to reduce pollution is to keep it from happening at all.

Just a few ideas for preventing pollution before it starts:

1)Ride your bike instead of driving.

2) Carefully consider new purchases.  Do you really need it?

3) Carpool with coworkers.

Many states across the country have special green living activities and programs for P2 Week.  Check your state’s official website for more information on P2 events near you. Here are a few I found:

Michigan Pollution Prevention Week

Deleware Pollution Prevention Week

Idaho Pollution Prevention Week

Florida Pollution Prevention Week

Wisconsin Pollution Prevention Week

Here’s more information on the history of Pollution Prevention Week and Pollution Prevention Week activity ideas.

Whether you use a dishwasher, or you do your dishes the old-fashioned way, there are a few things you can do to conserve energy and save water in your home.

Dishwashers:  If you use a dishwasher, you can save water by scraping your dishes rather than rinsing them before you put them in the dishwasher .  If your dishwasher has a heat dry option, turn it off to save energy, and allow you dishes to air dry.  Also, wait until you have a full load of dishes before running your dishwasher.  Your dishwasher uses the same amount of energy and water regardless of the load size, so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.  Choose a phosphate-free dishwasher detergent to reduce pollution. Need a new one?  Here’s help for selecting a  green dishwasher.

Kitchen Sink:  If you do your dishes in the kitchen sink, fill one side with soapy water, then one side with rinse water, and rinse by dipping the soapy dishes into the water on the rinsing side.  Avoid letting the water run the entire time you are doing dishes.   You can also install a sink aerater on your kitchen faucet for conserving water. Phosphate free dish soap for doing dishes by hand is widely available.

Source:  Care 2 Make a Difference