A Beautiful Way To Improve Your Environment AE ST SAPD SETS For an environmentally friendly solution for your walk or driveway, consider visually pleasing permeable interlocking concrete pavement. (NAPSA)—Whensome people find something that’s as easy on the eye as it’s easy on the environment and the wallet, they just walkall overit. And that’s a good thing whenit’s a pavementthat’s an improvement. A pavementthat meets those requirements is permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICPs). These look like popular concrete paving stones but have a small space between them. This spaceis filled with small stones that allow runoffto filter downand into the soil, reducing stormwater runoff and pollution. In snowy weather, they can reduce icy buildup. The melting snow just drains into the spaces between the paversso it doesn't have a chance to refreezeinto ice. The pavers are available in many shapes, sizes, textures and colorsfor various uses. A light, reflective color, for instance, can reduce the “heat island”effect created by ordinary asphalt pavements. The paving stones are strong and durable because they're made the same way as concrete paving stones are. This durability means homeowners can enjoy their beauty for a lifetime. Other easy low-cost and no-cost landscaping tips to protect the environment include: * Plant trees to act as wind blockers or to shade you from the worst of the sun. * Plant climbing vines on arbors to help lowercooling costs in the summer. Cut down on grass acreage. The less grass you have, the less you haveto water. * Choosenative plants that are well adapted to your environment andwill require less care. * Mulch: Mulching saves water and makesit easier to weed. Learn More Homeowners, design professionals and contractors can learn more from the Interlocking Concrete PavementInstitute and find ICPIcertified installers at www.icpi.org or by calling (703) 657-6900.
