Category: Blog

As daily air quality forecasting makes its return for the 2025 season, the American Lung Association’s latest “State of the Air” report finds that even after decades of successful efforts to reduce sources of air pollution, 46% of Americans – 156.1 million individuals – are living in places that received failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to the years covered in last year’s report (2020-2022), and more than in any other “State of the Air” report in the last 10 years. The data reinforces the need to protect our local communities from the continued risks to public health resulting from a combination of factors, including extreme heat, drought, wildfire smoke and more.

Looking back at the “State of the Air” data from almost 30 years ago, when the average number of high ozone days in the St. Louis region approached 50 in the summers of 1996-1998, the drop to just 10.5 high ozone days in the most recent report is a sign of progress. But that progress is tainted by the fact that, for the first time in nine years, the St. Louis region ranked among the top 25 most ozone-polluted U.S. cities, coming in at number 21 on the list for high ozone days out of 228 metropolitan areas. The region also ranked 17^th on the list for most polluted cities by annual particle pollution, which is up 13 spots from the previous year. Additionally, St. Louis was reported among the top two cities with the largest change in rank, worsening from 30^th to 21^st for the topmost ozone-polluted U.S. cities, falling second only to Tulsa, Okla., which moved from 31^st on the list to 19^th worst overall.

The most up-to-date report findings have added to the extensive evidence that a changing climate is making it harder to protect this hard-fought progress on air quality and human health. Increases in high ozone days and spikes in particle pollution related to extreme heat, drought and wildfires are putting millions of people at risk and adding challenges to the work that states and cities are doing across the nation to clean up air pollution. And after several years of reporting that the worst of the nation’s air quality problems were increasingly concentrated in western states, “State of the Air” 2025 finds the geographic distribution of air pollution shifting back East.

Here’s a look at the latest rankings for ozone pollution across the region for counties in the non-attainment area included in the American Lung Association’s report:

Missouri                                                                                                               Illinois

“For 30 years, the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership has been encouraging voluntary steps to reduce emissions in order to protect lung health, but the latest air quality data makes it clear our region remains a long way from achieving truly healthy air,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Healthy Air Solutions for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “As we approach summer when poor air quality becomes more frequent, we urge residents and businesses to renew their commitment to the individual and collective efforts that are essential to improving air quality and protecting public health, especially for children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions who are most at risk. Continued vigilance and community participation are key to ensuring cleaner air and healthier outcomes for everyone in the region.”

According to the 2025 “State of the Air” report, exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone air pollution continues to make breathing difficult for more people living in the U.S. than any other single pollutant. For the three years covered in this year’s report (2021-2023), 37% of the population – some 125.2 million people – were exposed to levels of ozone that put their health at risk. This is an increase of 24.6 million people over last year’s figure, and includes tens of millions of infants and children, people aged 65 or older and others whose conditions make them especially vulnerable to health harm from air pollution. Nationwide, nearly five times as many counties’ ozone levels worsened as improved. Nine states saw the number of unhealthy days for ozone get worse in every one of their counties monitored for this pollutant, including all 23 monitored counties in Illinois and all 17 in Missouri. This encompasses the combined eight counties on both sides of the Mississippi River that fall into the designated non-attainment area in the bi-state region.

Despite the widespread worsening in parts of the country, the list of the worst 25 cities for ozone pollution in “State of the Air” report and their order of ranking remains relatively stable compared with last year’s report. In one other small piece of good news, none of the cities on the list reported a worst-ever average number of days of ozone smog, which is created in part from sources like vehicle exhaust.

“Since transportation remains one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and smog, the ways we choose to travel are some of the simplest and most effective actions to reduce harmful emissions,” Fuchs added. “Small shifts – such as taking public transit, carpooling, combining trips, telecommuting, or walking and biking – can add up to a big difference when it comes to air quality. Beyond commuting, adopting energy-saving habits, reducing waste, and reusing materials are other meaningful steps individuals and businesses can take to protect lung health and the environment.”

As it marks its 30^th year, the Clean Air Partnership is renewing its commitment to increasing awareness of regional air quality issues and encouraging activities to reduce air pollution emissions. Area residents can visit CleanAir-StLouis.com to sign up to receive color-coded, daily air quality forecasts via their email inboxes or text through the Environmental Protection Agency’s EnviroFlash air quality alert system to stay informed about ozone pollution levels in the region and how those levels can affect their health. This is especially crucial on orange or red unhealthy air quality days when individuals should plan to alter their outdoor activities to minimize exposure to polluted air. While on the site, people can also access a wealth of air quality information and tips to do their share for cleaner air all summer long.

Additional air quality information and the daily forecast can be accessed by liking the Clean Air Partnership on Facebook, or by following the organization on X (formerly Twitter) @gatewaycleanair. To access the full American Lung Association 2025 “State of the Air” report, visit Lung.org.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the oldest and most successful Major League Baseball teams in the nation, playing their home games at Busch Stadium, right in the heart of the downtown St. Louis. In addition to chasing World Series championships on the field, the Cardinals earned Champion Level recognition in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, which they’ve been an active participant in all 15 years of the Challenge. Just in time for Opening Day, the Clean Air Partnership is pleased to spotlight the Cardinals’ ongoing commitment to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability in the region.

“Year after year, the St. Louis Green Business Challenge adds value to commitments the Cardinals make to sustainable achievement,” said Mairead Scanlon, supervisor of facility and logistics for the Cardinals. “The Challenge encourages us to think creatively about how we can further our sustainable practices and serves as a reminder about the importance of maintaining the programs we have already implemented.”

In 2024, the Cardinals launched several green initiatives to reduce excess waste. Alongside concessionaire Delaware North, the Cardinals partnered with Operation Food Search (OFS) to regularly give back to feed the less fortunate, donating 10.4 tons of food last year alone. To conserve energy in Busch Stadium’s all-inclusive areas, LED lights were also installed in the newly debuted Budweiser 703 Club. This is an important eco-friendly upgrade as LED lights contribute to better air quality by reducing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing light pollution, and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals found in traditional lighting. Additionally, more than 1.4 tons of e-Waste were recycled throughout the stadium to further reduce environmental impact.

On top of that, the Cardinals implemented new and improved sustainability measures such as collecting ink and toner cartridges used in the offices and recycling them through Kyocera’s ECO footPRINT Toner Recycling Program. Recycling cartridges is an effective way to reduce airborne pollutants by preventing the release of hazardous materials into landfills and cuts down the need for manufacturing new cartridges, which consumes resources and energy.

During the Challenge, efforts were also taken to grow the Cardinals Green Team, which is made up of volunteers who collect recyclables during games to divert waste from local landfills. Volunteer retention was promoted through a new incentive program – based on the number of games individuals worked – that offered promotional items, Cardinals tickets and invitations to volunteer for concerts. Likewise, the organization spearheaded another Green Team recruitment initiative with in-game tabling in Ford Plaza throughout the season to help boost volunteer enrollment in the program.

For more information on the St. Louis Cardinals and how your company can get involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

St. Louis CITY SC kicked off its inaugural Major League Soccer season just two years ago and has since been scoring points not only on the field, but also within the local community. With a commitment to green efforts in and around the stadium district by recycling, composting, food rescue and practicing energy conservation, the team partners with various educational, business and community organizations to enhance and implement shared goals of environmental sustainability. As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, St. Louis CITY SC captured the Clean Air Partnership’s attention with its internal green practices that helped earn them recognition at the Champion Level.

Over the course of the Challenge, St. Louis CITY SC elected to report on its Champion Innovation Project “Goal: ZERO,” which was designed to reduce landfill waste and single-use plastics throughout the stadium with an emphasis on composting and recycling. For the 2024 MLS season, Energizer Park (formerly CITYPARK) diverted an impressive 90.3 percent of waste – 92 tons of material – from local landfills over 21 home matches. Of the overall waste generated, 48 percent was comprised of compost materials, 24 percent was considered mixed recycling, and another 20 percent was recycled aluminum.

“Driven by our club’s vision to be an Exceptional Club and Neighbor, we set an ambitious sustainability target of ‘Goal: ZERO’ this year, to run-waste-free MLS matches by diverting towards composting, recycling, and reuse,” said Diego Gigliani, president and general manager of St. Louis CITY SC. “By delivering on this pledge, we have both led the way for sustainable sporting events across our industry and inspired our fan and community to do their part in their homes, workplaces, and schools.”

During the Challenge year, St. Louis CITY SC worked with its Official Sustainability Partner YETI to establish a first-of-its-kind policy in MLS and across professional sports, allowing fans to bring a previously purchased CITY-branded YETI 24 oz. rambler into the stadium for unlimited soft drink and water refills to help reduce the use of single-use aluminum cups. Additional concessions-based, eco-friendly initiatives included serving food in compostable containers with compostable utensils, in addition to serving all drinks in recyclable aluminum cans, bottles and cups.

Other notable recognitions included the soccer stadium receiving a Play to Zero Award from the Green Sports Alliance for its Goal: ZERO program. The honor celebrates innovations in sustainability and highlights achievements across different categories such as Waste Player, Energy Champion and Innovation Award. Moreover, St. Louis CITY SC produced a promotional video with active players to educate fans on how the stadium sorts all trash by hand, ensuring diversion to compost and recycling instead of landfill disposal, which is also a big win for regional air quality!

For more information about St. Louis CITY SC and how your organization can get involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

The American Lung Association’s popular “Fight For Air Climb” event designed for every type of climber – from beginners to competitive climbers, along with first responders and firefighters – is set to make its return to the Metropolitan Square Building in downtown St. Louis this weekend. On Saturday morning at 8 a.m., climbers will see the world from a whole different perspective as they tackle the best set of stairs this side of the Mississippi, scaling the building’s 42 floors to race up 900+ steps (or taking it at their own pace) to support people with lung disease who are fighting for every breath.

The goal of the event is to raise awareness and funds to support the American Lung Association’s efforts to save lives through education, advocacy and research. Registration fees and fundraising dollars go toward making the nonprofit’s work possible to defeat lung cancer, improve the air we breathe, reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families and more. Today, that fight is more important than ever, and 90 cents of every dollar raised will go directly to the cause. Participants can register online through Friday or in-person on the morning of the event to climb as a team, an individual, or join as a volunteer.

When climbers get to the top, they can experience what it feels like to suffer from lung disease and empathize with individuals who suffer through it every day. According to the American Lung Association’s most recent “State of Lung Cancer” report, about every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer, and every day, lung cancer takes the lives of more than 361 of our friends, neighbors and loved ones. Missouri ranks 44^th among all U.S. states for new lung cancer case rates at 67.7 (per 100,000 population), which is significantly higher than the national rate of 53.6.

During Saturday’s event, climbers can also show their appreciation for local firefighters and first responders rallying to bring home a coveted Challenge award for full-gear, modified-gear and no-gear categories for teams and individuals. ALA’s mission hits close to these everyday heroes due to their increased susceptibility to lung disease as unhealthy air is an occupational hazard. In the line of duty, exposure to harmful gases, chemicals, particulate and other substances create a greater risk for potentially damaging short and long-term effects on the respiratory system.

Additionally, for those looking for a different type of challenge but still wanting to make an impact, “Climb Your Way” is the perfect alternative adventure. Participants can choose a personal challenge for themselves and their team or for a solo climb, whether that be climbing the stairs in their house, running outside in a nearby park or hiking their favorite trail. Some tools to help include the free Climb app where individuals can track activity and steps, in addition to access fundraising information and connecting with friends, family and colleagues about the climb.

For more information on the Fight For Air Climb – St. Louis and how to get involved, click here. To learn more about the health effects of exposure to polluted air and tips to reduce emissions to help protect lung health, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

The 2025 Soulard Mardi Gras season is in full swing, and the next couple weekends promise no shortage of excitement for area residents with a mix of fitness, food, floats and furry fun. But like many festivals, it’s easy for the environmental impact to get caught up in the frenzy. So, whether you’re planning to indulge in delicious Cajun cuisine, dress yourself or your pet up in festive fashion or line the streets for the Grand Parade next weekend, there are plenty of ways to show you care for clean air during any one of Soulard’s upcoming signature events.

As you’re making plans to head to the celebrations, let the good times roll by leaving the driving to Metro Transit to skip the hassle of parking and enjoy a stress-free ride. Riders can park their vehicle at any of the 21 free Park-Ride lots at MetroLink stations in Missouri and Illinois, purchase a $5 day pass on the Transit app or at a ticket vending machine – good for unlimited rides for one day – and take the MetroLink light rail to the Civic Center Station in downtown St. Louis. From there, riders can board a shuttle bus or walk to all the action in nearby Soulard or at Ballpark Village. Several MetroBus lines also serve Soulard during Mardi Gras events. For more on routes and schedules, check the Metro St. Louis website.

While catching and throwing beads and other trinkets during Mardi Gras parades may be exhilarating, many of these souvenirs end up polluting the city as they are dropped and long forgotten once the parades are over. Instead of littering the streets or tossing them into trash cans, consider dropping them off at a local business or organization that offers a bead recycling program, or channel your crafty side and consider creating a DIY art project or costume.

Speaking of costumes, though a major part of Mardi Gras, they’re often made of harmful plastics or materials that are not biodegradable. When looking for costumes for yourself or your furry friend for the pet parade, consider opting for ones made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled fabrics or items you already have in your closet or around the house. You can also buy secondhand costumes or accessories, which reduces waste and the demand for new products.

With merrymakers expected to be out and about in massive numbers, it’s inevitable that trash will pile up quickly. To further reduce environmental impact, be sure to use the designated recycling bins around the event and separate recyclables from waste properly. Additionally, if possible, avoid plastic confetti and other non-biodegradable decorations that can create environmental hazards by winding up in toxic landfills and polluting the air we all breathe.

Together, we can work to make this year’s “Mardi Pardi” not just one of culture, but also of a sustainable future for St. Louis and beyond! To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website at CleanAir-StLouis.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

Coming off another successful year of delivering Triple Botton Line results (fiscal, social and environmental) to enterprises of all types and sizes across the bi-state area in 2024, the St. Louis Green Business Challenge continues to support integration of sustainability measures into the kinds of everyday operational practices common to every business. The Challenge – a program of the Missouri Botanical Garden – is focused on inspiring voluntary steps to help improve the environment and air quality in the region. As the Clean Air Partnership has a similar mission, we’re pleased to once again highlight its tremendous impact by recognizing some of the outstanding participants throughout this milestone year.

Since the program launched in 2010, more than 300 businesses, non-profits and municipalities have joined the Challenge, engaging over 160,000 employees and nearly 570,000 residents that have been influenced by this work. Ongoing commitment to sustainability remains strong as 60% of these companies have participated in the Challenge for two or more years and 50% for three years or more. Just this last year alone, 60 companies, non-profits, institutions and governmental bodies participated in the Challenge. An impressive 100% of these participants formed a Green Team to lead sustainability efforts, established or are developing sustainability policies, kept up with or started workplace recycling (even during remote working), and maintained sustainability communications with colleagues or constituents. Moreover, 99% continued or added to special waste stream recycling and 98% provided green learning opportunities or Green-At-Home resources for employees.

Now in its 15^th year, Challenge activity influences the business, higher education, local government and non-profit sectors of the St. Louis regional economy. The program works for building owners and tenants, supporting companies new to sustainability concepts, those already engaged and seeking to improve, as well as high-performing multi-year participants. 2024 Challenge companies benefitted from customized coaching, including annual site visits provided by expert staff of the EarthWays Center, the Garden’s sustainability division. These services supported company Green Teams in efficient and cost-effective sustainability work through policies and practices, in accord with each company’s unique goals and culture.

Other noteworthy sustainability service honors for the Challenge included being recognized with the 2024 Program Excellence Award by the American Public Gardens Association. Additionally, Challenge manager Jean Ponzi received the Lewis C. Green Environmental Service Award from Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, was named by Grow Native! as 2024 Native Plant Ambassador, and was also honored with the Gateway Lifetime Public Service Award from East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Talk about a clean air champion! 👏

Registration for the 2025 Challenge is open now through March 31^st. A Green Biz Showcase happy hour event will kick off this year’s program on Thursday, Feb. 27^th from 4:30-7 p.m., hosted at Cortex Innovation District. For more information on how to get your company or municipality involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge/Green Cities Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-newsletter here or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, be sure to check out our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

(L-R) Jaclyn Jezik and Jean Ponzi, Challenge staff

While it’s hard to believe we’re already wrapping up the first month of 2025, many have already established resolutions to better themselves in the new year. Even so, it’s never too late to consider making additional goals that not only enrich your life but also benefit the region’s air quality. 

Whatever that may look like for you; whether it be looking to reduce waste, conserve energy or embrace a more sustainable diet, there are countless ways to make a positive difference. By integrating green practices into your resolutions, you can contribute to the health of our planet while inspiring others to follow suit. Here are 25 ideas to get you started: 

1. Adjust the thermostat by turning it down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer to decrease emissions and save money on your power bill. 
2. Adopt a plant-based diet, even part of the time, to reduce your meat and dairy consumption as those industries are major contributors to climate change. 
3. Avoid “topping off” your gas tank as gasoline pollutes the air when it evaporates. 
4. Avoid vehicle idling that releases harmful chemicals, gases and particle pollution into the air. 
5. Buy local to reduce harmful carbon emissions and grow the local economy. 
6. Carry reusable utensils and/or straws with you to avoid the use of disposables. 
7. Combine errands into a single trip to minimize vehicle use and related emissions. 
8. Don’t pollute. Switch up your commute. Instead of driving to work or school every day, try taking public transit, carpooling, biking, walking, or working from home at least once a week to help improve air quality. 
9. Ease up on the pedal while driving to significantly lower gas consumption and vehicle emissions. 
10. Eat out at farm-to-table restaurants where food is sourced locally and reduces the need for long-distance transport. 
11. Engage in environmental advocacy to protect the planet and do your share for cleaner air. 
12. Focus on green cleaning products instead of ones with harsh chemicals that can negatively affect air quality. 
13. Go paperless when possible to save trees and cut back on air pollution and water consumption associated with production and transport. 
14. Install LED light bulbs at home or the office – they use 75% less energy than their regular counterparts. 
15. Learn how to properly recycle and find nearby alternative recycling options to help conserve natural resources and reduce waste. 
16. Make the switch to online banking to help save time, postage and trees. 
17. Minimize “phantom” energy by unplugging electronic devices not in use. 
18. Nix bottled water since single-use plastic contributes significant amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere as litter lingers in landfills. 
19. Consider an electric or hybrid vehicle to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. 
20. Organize your refrigerator to easily keep track of what you need to use up to avoid food waste. 
21. Refrain from burning wood that contributes to polluted air, which will also help improve lung health. 
22. Shop secondhand first before buying new items or try DIY items yourself to reduce excess waste. 
23. Shop smarter online by choosing companies that offer sustainable packaging and consolidating your orders to limit excess packaging. 
24. Start composting to promote better air quality by turning food and lawn waste into rich mulch. 
25. Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances that are more efficient, cost-saving and air quality-friendly. 

For more great tips on how we can all work together to achieve cleaner air in 2025, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.  

Citizens for Modern Transit’s FREE Try & Ride Program is Available to New Transit Riders

Taking MetroLink or MetroBus even a day or two a week saves commuters money on gas, maintenance and parking – it also helps them stay active and reduce stress. Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), in partnership with St. Clair County Transit District, has therefore launched a new initiative encouraging area commuters to consider taking transit in the new year. The goal of the “Make Transit Your Ride in 2025” campaign is to connect with those new to the safe, integrated public transit system and show them how they can take advantage of CMT’s FREE Try & Ride Program that provides personalized route information, helpful resources and complimentary transit tickets. With transportation-related emissions being one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, taking public transportation is also a great way to reduce harmful vehicle emissions to help keep the air quality in healthy ranges.

“Transit is a great consideration for those looking to save money, increase exercise and reduce stress in the new year,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Research shows transit users can save more than $13,000 per year just by using public transit. They can also increase steps by walking to and from transit centers and reduce stress by sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the ride instead of navigating roadways and fighting traffic congestion.”

CMT’s FREE Try & Ride program was developed to help those who are new to public transportation test and learn the transit system. It helps first-time users determine exactly how to get to where they need to go using MetroLink, MetroBus or a combination of the two, provides tips for using the system and a free monthly pass. The program requires riders to commit to utilizing the bus or train for one additional month at their own expense, for a total of two months.

CMT’s Try & Ride Program has been credited with helping more than 7,000 workday and school commuters learn how to successfully navigate public transit. To learn more about the “Make Transit Your Ride in 2025” campaign or to register for the program, visit CMT-STL.org.

For more information on the link between sustainable transportation and air quality, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website at CleanAir-StLouis.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

Based in St. Louis, Quiet Village Landscaping is a full-service custom landscape design and lawn care service company that has been providing the bi-state area with high-quality landscape design, hardscape, maintenance, bed maintenance and seasonal services since 2001. With a focus on sustainability and commitment to bringing clients’ visions to life with its unique processes, the Clean Air Partnership is pleased to shine a spotlight on the company for its green achievements that are having a positive impact on regional air quality and outdoor spaces across the region.

“Our passion lies in leading the way toward sustainability in green spaces,” said Dennis Evans, owner of Quiet Village Landscaping. “Over 2,300 native plants we installed will support local wildlife, thrive with minimal irrigation, and reduce use of harmful chemicals. Our drainage solutions protect local waterways, sustainably diverting thousands of gallons from overloading creeks and streams and proliferating best practice examples. And our commitment extends beyond our work. We engage in community projects to beautify public spaces and connect people and nature. At Quiet Village Landscaping, we believe that together, we can make a positive environmental impact.”

As a participant in the 2023 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Leader Level, Quiet Village Landscaping introduced additional native plants and provided ongoing maintenance for its Adopt-A-Highway beautification project and butterfly garden in Olivette, Missouri. The company also organized a volunteer team to lead park beautification efforts at the historic St. Louis Place Park, as well as coordinated a group training and volunteer event to complete edging, composting and mulching to support the growth of 15 young saplings at Dr. H. Phillip Venable Memorial Park. Furthermore, to help preserve the well-being of local waterways for the communities it serves, the company facilitated the design and installation of 19 drainage solutions projects, which effectively averted water damage.

Other impressive accomplishments during the Challenge included the installation of several automatic light sensors throughout four sections of the company’s office and a new water bottle filling station, in addition to providing new reusable water bottles to all staff members to reduce excess plastic waste. Additionally, Quiet Village Landscaping revamped its waste management procedures, recycling more than 2,500 yards of natural yard waste into compost and mulch and circulating over 175 pots. Team training was also implemented to reinforce the company’s commitment to removing invasive plants and replacing them with native alternatives, which also helped to improve air quality!

For more information about Quiet Village Landscaping and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

‘Tis the season to be eco-conscious as the holidays bring many opportunities to go green and think about the impact our treasured traditions and activities these next couple weeks can have on the environment. In all the enthusiasm and hustle and bustle that comes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, it’s easy to overlook our impact on the planet, though it’s important to recognize that the average household will produce up to 25% more waste during this festive period, according to the EPA.

Merrymakers can reduce their carbon footprint and limit unnecessary waste by making a few small changes in the way we celebrate. Here are some insightful tips to making the holiday season more merry, bright and sustainable to help improve regional air quality for area residents to breathe easier:

• • Gift Greener – Consider gifting an experience to loved ones to reduce waste and environmental impact. Buying gifts from local businesses that follow social and environmental practices or supporting local artists, craftspeople or farmers will also largely benefit the region’s air quality. Additionally, newspapers, old posters, maps, reusable gift bags or scrap fabric lying around the house make for beautiful, personal and unique gift wraps. If you choose to buy gift wrap, look for recycled content gift wrap paper whenever you can find it.
  • Green Your Holiday Dinner Table – If you’re in charge of hosting a holiday feast for loved ones this year, sourcing as many of your ingredients as possible locally helps to cut down on emissions produced by large transport trucks. The less your produce and supplies must travel, the less waste is produced, and the smaller the environmental impact. Additionally, single-use items (while they make the cleanup process more convenient) are less visually appealing than reusable dishware and far worse for the environment. So, consider swapping out disposable plates, cups, napkins and silverware for your favorite set of dishes this year for greener dining.
  • Properly Dispose of Your Tree – If your holiday includes a tree, and you opt for an artificial one, box it up once the season is over and save it for years to come. When you’re ready to get rid of it, do your best to recycle or donate it to help avoid the hazardous landfill. For real trees that still have the root ball attached, consider re-planting in your yard after the holidays or dispose of the tree at a composting or chipping facility in your neighborhood to do your share for cleaner air.

  • Travel Sustainably – Last but not least, greener travel starts before even leaving the house. The more weight trains, planes and automobiles must carry, the more fuel they use, and the more harmful greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere. So, be conscious of how many extra items you’re packing to lighten the load and help keep the air quality in healthy ranges. If traveling by your own personal vehicle, routine maintenance steps like checking engine performance and keeping tires properly inflated are ideal ways to help reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The bus or train are also great options that can offer a certain level of convenience, particularly if the weather and roads are bad along your route.

To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit the tips section of the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.