Day 47 - Green drive

MallDad and I will soon be looking to repave our driveway. Since asphalt is petroleum-based, I decided to explore “greener” options. I don’t know what the cost difference is, whether these greener options can survive the Northeast winters, or if any of them will be feasible for us, but it’s interesting to see how things are changing, even in the world of driveways and parking lots.

One type of green driveway is called GrassPave2, which a porous mat-type of system through which grass can grow. It allows you to drive and park without crushing the grass beneath, and the drive can absorb more rainwater instead of sending it, and the pollutants from the drive, into storm drains and sewers. Some of these pollutants are then consumed by bacteria in the soil.

Another advantage to this is that your driveway won’t be creating heat pockets when it gets warmed by the sun.

There’s also an option called “porous pavement,” which looks a lot like regular pavement, but sits on top of a reservoir of gravel and sand, which collects and filters dirty rainwater before it can make it’s way into groundwater or storm drains.

Of course, there’s always paving stones, crushed stone, or gravel. But these options would be hard-pressed to survive snow plowing up here in the north.

It’s great to have choices, though.

Tip for Day 47 – Don’t accept the status quo. Look for greener options whenever you make home improvements.