This Week's Green Tip

Wash your car with recycled water-or no water.

When you wash your car in your driveway, runoff (including any cleaners you're using and contaminants like motor oil and gasoline) goes directly into storm drains without being filtered or treated.  In addition, washing your car yourself generally uses more water than the average car wash (between 80 and 140 litres versus 37 litres).

Eco-friendly car washes properly treat and recycle runoff and use biodegradable soaps.  Some even use "waterless" methods- car-cleaning sprays that are free of phosphates and use nontoxic.  These sprays are also available to consumers who enjoy the ritual of the summer driveway wash.