How to Make Your Parking Lot More Eco-friendly

Even though parking lots are an absolute necessity for urban areas for streamlined mobility, they are not great for the environment. If you own a parking lot, the chances are that your property is made of impervious concrete, which could make the entire establishment unsustainable. Unfortunately, this has been the standard for parking lots for the past few decades. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to improve the situation! So, how can you make your parking lot more eco-friendly?

How to make your parking lot more eco-friendly?

• Plant grass

Grass adds a layer of sustainability to your parking lot while increasing its aesthetics. Moreover, grass can help control soil erosion near the parking lot. It even lowers the ambient temperature since grass patches do not absorb heat. You can optimize grass distribution by laying a plastic grid first and filling it with soil and concrete. This mixture will stabilize your grass and support its growth.

• Use eco-friendly paint

Did you know painting your parking lot with eco-friendly paint can help reduce air pollution? Regular paint usually contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), such as ammonia, glycol, xylene, and toluene hydrocarbons. These compounds can cause health hazards to humans, animals, and plants. Using biodegradable paint for striping and marking the parking lot is much safer and greener. These paints are made from renewable and natural sources like citrus and linseed oils and pose no adverse effects on the environment.

• Use previous concrete

Since impervious parking lots are more susceptible to flooding, switch to permeable concrete. It helps control rainwater and also enables you to plant trees along the pavements. Air and water can adequately penetrate the plant roots through the porous surface. This means you won’t need to worry about watering the plants every day. Previous concrete also provides natural infiltration and reduces pollutant runoff. Additionally, concrete with permeable asphalt can have a 20 to 30 years lifespan, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.

• Construct a rainwater harvesting system

As you know, rainwater harvesting is a simple yet valuable method of collecting rainwater for future use. If you want to fully realize the potential of your real estate, you can build a rainwater harvesting system in your parking lot. All you have to do is construct drainage channels around and within the parking lot to direct the water to your harvest area. You can use the water constructively for farming, domestic chores, or car washes after proper treatment. Also Read: How to design a perfectly lit parking lot

In a nutshell

Don’t forget to plant as many trees as possible inside and near the establishment to improve the air quality within your vicinity. With a bit of research and initiative, you can construct attractive, green parking lots in your area. Try any or all of the tips mentioned above and lay the foundation for environmental conservation.