I pledge to: Pounding the Pavement Never dump toxic materials down storm drains or on the ground. Use spaced paving stones, bricks, sand or gravel in my driveway and walkways. Position gutters so that they drain rainwater onto grass or garden beds and away from impervious surfaces. Leave buffers of native vegetation at the base of hills and along the water’s edge. Minimize impervious surfaces when remodeling or building. I’ll favor a tall house with a small footprint. Lawn and Order Use a push mower, electric or battery powered mower and enjoy the quiet! Mow more often with a sharp blade and set the cutting height higher. Find out what type of grass is growing in my lawn and mow to maximize grass health. Use grass clippings as fertilizer! I’ll leave them lying or get a mulching lawnmower. Reduce the amount of my yard that is planted in grass. I’ll try native ground covers that need less maintenance and provide a more interesting landscape. Test my soil and use organic slow-release fertilizers with the right nutrients for my lawn. I’ll only apply once a year. Don’t over-water. The water only needs to penetrate as deep as the roots in my lawn. Avoid the use of “Weed and Feed” type products, that add harmful poisons to our waterways. Poison Practices Look past the bug to the actual damage. Pick harmful insects off my plants or spray them off with a strong shot of water (try water on aphids!) Accept a few weeds, especially clover, which improves the soil. Hand-pull weeds when I can. Re-seed thin areas in my lawn to crowd out weeds. Choose plants appropriate for the soil and sun conditions in my yard and choose pest resistant varieties, integrating native plants where possible. What are You Toxin About? Choose the least toxic item when shopping for household products. Dispose of left-over hazardous household products by taking them to a King County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Site. On the Road Reduce the number of car trips I take by consolidating errands, carpooling, walking, using public transportation, and riding my bike. Drive a fuel-efficient car. Wash my car at an approved car wash. If I have to wash my car at home, I’ll do it on gravel or grass, with biodegradable soap used in moderation. Maintain my car with regular tune-ups and check for leaks. Use re-refined motor oil in my car. Recycle used motor oil and antifreeze properly at an approved collection facility. Recycle my used car battery when I buy a new one. Scoop the Poop Scoop the poop! I’ll carry a bag and clean up after my pet when out walking and in the yard. I can put it in a plastic bag in the garbage or give it a flush. Encourage my cat to use a litter box and make time each day to scoop the poop. Then I’ll flush it or bag it and empty into the trash. Stop feeding ducks and geese. On the Beach Leave the beach the way I found it, with all creatures, shells and rocks in their place. Pick up all trash. Strive to leave natural places “cleaner than I find them” by removing at least one piece of abandoned trash on each visit. Control pets, keeping them away from birds or other wildlife. Water Whys Wash full loads of clothes and dishes. Turn off the faucet while I am brushing my teeth or while shaving. Check for water leaks inside and outside the house and fix them promptly. Collect rainwater in a rain barrel to and use it to water my garden. Take shorter showers and install a low-flow toilet and showerhead. Your Name: Your Email: Your Phone: Your Address:
I pledge to:
Pounding the Pavement Never dump toxic materials down storm drains or on the ground. Use spaced paving stones, bricks, sand or gravel in my driveway and walkways. Position gutters so that they drain rainwater onto grass or garden beds and away from impervious surfaces. Leave buffers of native vegetation at the base of hills and along the water’s edge. Minimize impervious surfaces when remodeling or building. I’ll favor a tall house with a small footprint. Lawn and Order Use a push mower, electric or battery powered mower and enjoy the quiet! Mow more often with a sharp blade and set the cutting height higher. Find out what type of grass is growing in my lawn and mow to maximize grass health. Use grass clippings as fertilizer! I’ll leave them lying or get a mulching lawnmower. Reduce the amount of my yard that is planted in grass. I’ll try native ground covers that need less maintenance and provide a more interesting landscape. Test my soil and use organic slow-release fertilizers with the right nutrients for my lawn. I’ll only apply once a year. Don’t over-water. The water only needs to penetrate as deep as the roots in my lawn. Avoid the use of “Weed and Feed” type products, that add harmful poisons to our waterways. Poison Practices Look past the bug to the actual damage. Pick harmful insects off my plants or spray them off with a strong shot of water (try water on aphids!) Accept a few weeds, especially clover, which improves the soil. Hand-pull weeds when I can. Re-seed thin areas in my lawn to crowd out weeds. Choose plants appropriate for the soil and sun conditions in my yard and choose pest resistant varieties, integrating native plants where possible. What are You Toxin About? Choose the least toxic item when shopping for household products. Dispose of left-over hazardous household products by taking them to a King County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Site. On the Road Reduce the number of car trips I take by consolidating errands, carpooling, walking, using public transportation, and riding my bike. Drive a fuel-efficient car. Wash my car at an approved car wash. If I have to wash my car at home, I’ll do it on gravel or grass, with biodegradable soap used in moderation. Maintain my car with regular tune-ups and check for leaks. Use re-refined motor oil in my car. Recycle used motor oil and antifreeze properly at an approved collection facility. Recycle my used car battery when I buy a new one. Scoop the Poop Scoop the poop! I’ll carry a bag and clean up after my pet when out walking and in the yard. I can put it in a plastic bag in the garbage or give it a flush. Encourage my cat to use a litter box and make time each day to scoop the poop. Then I’ll flush it or bag it and empty into the trash. Stop feeding ducks and geese. On the Beach Leave the beach the way I found it, with all creatures, shells and rocks in their place. Pick up all trash. Strive to leave natural places “cleaner than I find them” by removing at least one piece of abandoned trash on each visit. Control pets, keeping them away from birds or other wildlife. Water Whys Wash full loads of clothes and dishes. Turn off the faucet while I am brushing my teeth or while shaving. Check for water leaks inside and outside the house and fix them promptly. Collect rainwater in a rain barrel to and use it to water my garden. Take shorter showers and install a low-flow toilet and showerhead. Your Name: Your Email: Your Phone: Your Address:
[HOME] Puget Soundkeeper Alliance 5309 Shilshole Ave NW
Suite 215 Seattle, WA 98107 (206) 297-7002
