Environmentally Friendly Ways to Pave Driveway

Eco-friendly Ways to Pave Your Driveway

• Having an environmentally friendly driveway means paving it with either grass, sand or gravel. They are considered eco-friendly because they reduce erosion and because they are permeable. Any car pollutants, such as oil, will not be washed into the drainage system, which empties into the oceans or rivers. Building an environmentally friendly driveway is simple, and they are durable and easy to maintain.

  Today, flexible forms are available to contain your sand, gravel or grass. The form grids are perforated, which helps with the drainage. The grass can breathe, and life can exist above and beneath it, unlike the concrete or asphalt, which smothers the earth. If you have ripped up an existing concrete or asphalt driveway, the grid is laid down, and the material is placed above it. The grid form keeps the gravel and sand from scattering. It is also absorbs any weight so that it protects the grass roots from being broken or destroyed. The grid is low enough for you to mow your driveway easily.

  If you are planning on using grass, you can use sod, instead of waiting for your grass seeds to grow. HGTV (www.hgtv.com/landscaping/green-driveway/index.html) has a step-by-step approach for making your driveway green. This can give you a better idea of how the process works, from preparing the ground to sodding the area. This also gives you an idea of how much it may cost you to do the same with your driveway.

  Another option, if you like the traditional look of concrete or asphalt, is a porous driveway. In a porous pavement, you line the bottom with stones, and top it with a permeable concrete or asphalt. Unlike most driveways with concrete, the permeable material allows for rain and pollutants to sink into the stone, and then into the soil, where bacteria consume the engine oils. This reduces much of the polluted rainwater running off to major bodies of water. This method also keeps the supply of well water from drying up.

  An eco-friendly option for your driveway is a smart way to go, because it helps the environment, helping future generation and yourself. The grass or vegetation approach gives you a beautiful green area, and now you can play or relax in your little spot of green. When you choose the gravel or sand driveway, you have a different look from traditional driveways, and it leaves a nice feeling that you are doing your part for the environment.