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Mowing Down Pollution
In cities large and small, the noisy rattle of gas lawn mowers and the quiet hum of electric models announce the official arrival of spring. Soccer games, birthday parties and picnics just wouldn't be the same without the sweet perfume of fresh grass clippings.
Whether it's the homeowner who takes pride in his yard, or the neighbor kid who wants to earn some extra money, mowing the lawn is an American ritual. But while a well-kept grass lawn is cool, inviting and beautiful, it comes at a price to the environment. Each weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns with gas-powered mowers. By doing so they consume 800 million gallons of gas per year and produce tons of air pollutants.
Types of Lawn Mowers
There are three main types of lawn mowers: gas-powered mowers, electric mowers, and "push" or reel mowers.
Most people use gas-powered lawn mowers. Gasoline powers the motor, which spins the metal blade, cutting the grass as you walk. Electric lawn mowers run on your home's electricity instead of gas; they have cords that plug into an exterior outlet or run on batteries. Reel mowers have no power source at all -- they run on muscle power. Reel mowers have been around for a long time, but today's models are much better than Grandpa's.
A gas lawn mower is one of the most environmentally destructive pieces of equipment someone can own. Like anything else that burns oil or gas for fuel, these lawn mowers pollute the air. They give off high levels of particulates and carbon monoxide; they also emit hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to the buildup of ground-level ozone, or smog. In only one hour of use, a gas-powered lawn mower can create the same amount of pollution as a car driven for 340 miles!
Gas-powered lawn mowers emit another type of pollution as well: noise. In full operation they put out close to 90 decibels, enough noise to recommend ear protection. And because lawn mowers are used mostly during the warmer spring and summer months, when ground-level ozone is at its highest levels, their emissions aggravate respiratory conditions and cause breathing problems for people with asthma.
Electric and reel lawn mowers are both much better for the environment than gas-powered models. By switching to electric you'll be reducing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides by 99 percent. There's no risk of gasoline spillage to contaminate the air and the ground. They're more economical -- electric mowers use only $3 to $4 of electricity per year (about what a toaster uses). And they're quieter, which means less noise pollution. Reel mowers are even more environmentally friendly: they're light, quiet and maintenance free, with zero pollution.
Mow Better
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has regulated car emissions since the 1970s by forcing manufacturers to meet stricter pollution standards, is doing the same for lawn mowers and other "offroad" equipment. It classifies gas-powered lawnmowers as "small engines" (chainsaws, leaf blowers, edgers and string trimmers also fall into this category), and is developing new standards to regulate their emissions. These new standards will be fully in place by 2007, resulting in a 70 percent decrease in ground-level ozone pollution caused by small engines each year.
Communities are getting into the act, too. In cities from Phoenix to Philadelphia, local home improvement stores and utilities are sponsoring annual events at which residents are encouraged to "turn in" their gas-powered lawn mowers and other lawn equipment. In exchange, they receive a rebate coupon good toward the purchase of a new electric-powered model.
You can keep lawns and yards looking beautiful without sacrificing the environment. Here are some tips:
- Choose a low-maintenance landscape. Select a slower-growing variety of grass that requires less-frequent mowing. Reduce the actual size of your lawn area by replacing turf with more trees and shrubs. In the West and Southwest, choose desert landscapes using stone or native plants that require little water, and decorative grasses that you don't have to mow.
- Use hand tools for smaller lawn jobs.
- Trade in your gas-powered lawn mower for an electric or reel mower.
If you must use a gas-powered lawn mower:
- Limit your mowing time.
- Don't mow the lawn on days when a pollution advisory has been announced.
- When refueling the mower, avoid spilling gasoline -- even small spills evaporate and pollute the air. Use a gas container you can hold evenly and securely, and use a funnel. Don't overfill the gas tank. Keep all gas containers tightly closed.
- Keep your lawn mower in good working order. This will help your lawn mower do its job more efficiently.
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About the author:
Deborah Paddison is a regular contributor to Get EcoSmart!. Deborah practices xeriscaping or water-efficient landscaping. Her front yard is completely desert landscaping with mesquite trees, ocotillo, and other desert plants.
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