On-Going Activities & Programs
Take the 'Drive Less Pledge' for Healthy Air
Did you know that driving our motor vehicles is the single largest source of air pollution in Pima County?
The Pima County Department of Environmental
Quality Clean Air Program invites you take a pledge to drive less to help keep our air healthy and for a chance to win a cool prize. The good news is you don’t have to put your car up on blocks -- by skipping a trip just once a week you can single-handedly save over 1,000 pound of air pollution in a year. Learn more about the "Healthy Air Is In Our Hands" campaign and take the "Drive-Less" pledge to be eligible to win.
Lawn & Garden Equipment Emissions Reduction Program
To reduce pollution created by gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, PDEQ, in partnership with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, has launched the "Cut Down Pollution" Program. The program provides vouchers to Pima County residents and businesses that turn in pre-approved gas powered lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment for recycling. In exchange for retiring higher polluting gas landscaping equipment, a resident can receive up to $400 in vouchers towards the purchase of zero-emitting equipment.
Commercial gas-powered mowers, used for hours a day by those in the landscaping business, can be retired for vouchers worth $200 towards electric or battery powered lawn mowers. Other equipment such as gas-powered leaf blowers, string trimmers, chain saws, edgers, etc. can be retired for vouchers worth $50 towards the purchase of zero emitting landscaping equipment. The vouchers can be used at any Home Depot store in Pima County.
Click for details and to apply for the program. Healthy Air Is In Our Hands!
ThisIsCleanAir Challenge
Occasionally, the PDEQ Clean Air Program will host creative challenges in our community to celebrate healthy air and what people do to help keep the air clean.
Challenges are related to submitting photos or poetry regarding trips using alternate modes of transportation: transit, bicycle, walk, telework, carpool or vanpool. Photos and poetry received may be used in PDEQ messaging promoting healthy air. Prizes are awarded randomly. Click to learn more.
Tire Inflation Education Program
PDEQ launched an educational campaign called "Pump Up Your MPG" to educate the community about the importance of keeping tires properly inflated to save resources and improve the environment. Pima Association of Governments' Clean Cities Program and the City of Tucson Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development provided some funding assistance for the program. A survey done after the successful campaign indicated that the number of people keeping their tires properly inflated tripled from the previous year's survey! Proper tire inflation saves gasoline, increases driving safety, reduces vehicle emissions, and keeps tires lasting longer. Check your tires once a month. Healthy Air Is In Our Hands!