As we ring in the New Year, many of us are thinking about resolutions—ways to improve our health, our habits, and our homes. At the Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA), we have one more suggestion for your list: protecting the air we breathe in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.
Our quality of life in the Northwest is deeply tied to our environment. While large-scale changes are important, our daily choices—big and small—add up to make a significant impact on our local air quality.
Here is how you can help keep our communities healthy this year and beyond.
On the Move: Drive Less, Breathe Better
Transportation is one of the largest sources of air pollution in our region. By choosing to leave the car at home even once or twice a week, you reduce the emissions that contribute to smog and respiratory issues.
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Opt for Alternatives: Whenever possible, choose public transit, carpooling, walking, or biking.
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Stop the Idle: It’s a common myth that idling “warms up” your car. In reality, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and creates more pollution than restarting your engine. Whether you’re waiting in a parking lot or a school pickup line, turn the key and be idle-free.
In the Yard: Choose Green Over Smoke
Yard maintenance can have a surprisingly large footprint on air quality, especially in our beautiful residential areas.
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Curb It, Don’t Burn It: Burning yard waste is prohibited inside most cities and Urban Growth Areas (UGAs). Instead of burning, choose to compost or chip your debris. This turns waste into a resource for your garden without sending smoke into your neighbor’s window.
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Summer Ozone Awareness: On hot summer days, sunlight reacts with vapors from gas-powered tools, paints, and solvents to create ground-level ozone (smog). To prevent this, try to hold off on using gas-powered mowers or oil-based paints during the heat of the day.
Around the Hearth: Burn Smart
During the winter months, wood smoke becomes a major concern for public health.
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Burn Less Wood: To protect yourself and your neighbors from fine particulate matter, try to burn wood as little as possible. If you do use a wood stove, ensure you are burning only dry, seasoned firewood.
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Illegal Burning: Never burn garbage, plastic, or treated wood. This has been illegal in Washington for decades because of the toxic chemicals it releases. Additionally, remember that burn barrels are strictly illegal throughout the state.
What Will You Do Today?
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is committed to preserving and enhancing the air quality for everyone in our four-county region. But we can’t do it alone.
Every time you choose to bike to the store, turn off your engine while waiting, or compost your leaves, you are choosing “healthy air for all.”
We can all do something, no matter how big or small, every day to protect the air we breathe.
So, as you start this New Year, ask yourself: What will I do today?
Stay Informed: To check the daily air quality forecast or learn more about burning regulations in your specific area, visit us at nwcleanairwa.gov.
