Q. I’m a barbecue purist. Are charcoal grills all that bad for the environment? —Henry Weissman 

A. I appreciate that charcoal delivers a slightly superior taste, but burning charcoal pollutes the air as well as your lungs—especially if you use lighter fluid or easy-light charcoals, which release smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic particulates. Factor in the manufacturing and transportation of charcoal and the residual ash (unless you compost it), and the pollution quickly builds. Though reliant on nonrenewable fuel, gas grills are cleaner burning, more efficient, and easier to use. I switched four years ago and haven’t missed that charcoal flavor, or the hassles that went with it. If you’re not ready to make the switch, use a chimney-type starter or electric probe instead of lighter fluid, and wood briquettes instead of easy-light charcoal.

Q: I have read about fuel-additive pills that raise the octane level of gas and increase fuel economy by 12 to 20 percent. Do they really work? –Emma O'Day

A. It sounds too good to be true and, sadly, it is. With the current gas crunch, octane pills and powders have cropped up with grand promises but little credibility. They haven’t been tested by the EPA and have failed miserably when independently tested. I spoke to fuel-efficiency experts and my car mechanic, and none of them knows of a legitimate octane pill. My mechanic pointed out that such “magic pills” have been around since the 1920s. If you’re determined to try them, remember that tampering with your gas tank voids your car’s warranty and that fuel-pump repairs are costly.  

Q: Can I recycle styrofoam? —L. Pollack

A: Technically, yes. Realistically, no. Most municipal recycling programs do not collect styrofoam (aka “polystyrene plastic”) because it isn’t cost effective. A few alternatives: Call the Peanut Hotline at (800) 828-2214 to find a mail services store that accepts and reuses clean styrofoam shipping peanuts. Reuse styrofoam chunks from electronics boxes to package valuables or in craft projects. And since most styrofoam isn’t recycled, try to avoid it in the first place—bring a reusable container to restaurants for leftovers and use a travel mug instead of styrofoam cups.  

Q: I’ve always heard that installing solar panels is not cost effective. Is this still the case? —Roberto Garcia

A: FindSolar.com is the perfect answer to your question. Use their My Solar Estimator tool, and enter specifics like your location, expected uses and current electricity expenses and it will calculate an overview of the costs, savings, and benefits of a solar system in your home. FindSolar.com, a partnership between solar groups and the U.S. Department of Energy, also provides listings of solar professionals. Rising electricity bills, federal and state tax breaks, and improved solar technology are making solar more cost-effective though it varies widely depending on location and needs. One immediate benefit, wherever you live, is that the money invested in a solar system will directly increase a home’s property value.  

Q: I have a list of weekend home improvement projects to get started on. What’s the easiest way to buy sustainably harvested lumber? —B. Roberts

A: As you improve your home, it’ll be nice to know that money spent on lumber can encourage protection of rain forests, old growth, and endangered species habitats. As a general rule of thumb, avoid tropical timbers (merbau, rubberwood) and old-growth lumber (redwood, cedar) unless they are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Call local lumber suppliers and ask them if they sell FSC-certified wood—not to be confused with the industry-sponsored Sustainable Forestry Initiative label (SFI), which has few environmental merits. Home Depot, among others, regularly carries FSC-certified products. Other options include reclaimed wood (Google “reclaimed wood” to find local contractors) or composite decking, made from recycled plastics and/or sawdust.

Q: Which family vacation is most earth-friendly— a road trip, airplane travel, or a cruise? —Blaine Swanson

A: May I suggest a train trip? Trains are, after all, a form of public transportation and the diesel that runs most trains is much less refined than jet fuel, which means the fuel is more efficient. Imagine viewing the splendors of Alaska’s Denali from a double-decker, glass-dome train or the California coastline sans traffic jams. However you travel, do your best to be an energy- conscious tourist. Plan your road trip carefully to avoid unnecessary mileage. Consider purchasing carbon off-setting credits for the miles you fly or drive. Research a cruise company before you buy tickets to make sure it has a clean record.

And finally …

I received several responses about my suggestion that people shopping for large families reuse plastic bags (Winter 2005/2006 issue). I wanted to offer a lower-impact solution to those who feel their shopping demands rule out canvas bags. However, reader Dave wrote, “Today I left a grocery store with a [canvas] bag on my shoulder filled with several fruits, a baby on my hip, a bag of organic grapes and two small containers of organic strawberries in my hands and a two-year-old at my side. That little child was proudly carrying another container of organic berries.” Bravo, Dave. I stand corrected—where there’s a will, there’s a way. It is worth the extra effort, especially since plastic bags are made from virgin plastic.

Any questions? Ask me.