The May 3-9 TimesLedger Newspapers article “Boro turns out to recycle” is a great example of celebrating Earth Day every day. Besides recycling newspapers, magazines, glass, plastics, old medicines, paints and cleaning materials, there are other actions you can take which will also contribute to a cleaner environment.
Leave your car at home. For local trips in the neighborhood, walk or ride a bike. For longer travels, consider public transportation alternatives. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit, the Long Island Rail Road, the Nassau Inter County Express Bus and the Staten Island Ferry, along with other private transportation owners, offer various options, such as local and express buses, ferries, jitneys, the subway and commuter rail services.
Most of these systems are funded with your tax dollars. They use less fuel and move more people than cars. In many cases, your employer can offer transit checks to help subsidize a portion of the costs. Use your investments and reap the benefits. You will be supporting a cleaner environment and be less stressed upon arrival at your final destination.
Many employers now allow employees to telecommute by working from home. Others use alternative work schedules, which afford staff the ability to avoid rush-hour gridlock. This saves travel time and can improve mileage per gallon. You could join a car pool to share the costs of commuting.
Use a hand-powered lawn mower instead of a gasoline or electric one. Rake your leaves instead of using gasoline-powered leaf blowers. The amount of pollution created by gasoline-powered lawn mowers or leaf blowers will surprise you.
A cleaner environment starts with everyone.
Larry Penner
Great Neck, L.I.
