World Changing, One Lawn Mower at a Time
Mar 20th, 2009 | By ashleysue | Category: South CarolinaWhile people consider the carbon emissions from driving their vehicles, “off-road” sources like lawn mowers are often an afterthought. Charleston is tackling air pollution from gas-powered lawn mowers with the Lowcountry Lawn Mower Exchange.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has joined with South Carolina local governments and partners to provide cordless electric mowers to residents at a discount by collecting previously-owned gas-powered mowers to recycle them. The First Annual Lowcountry Lawn Mower Exchange will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
With the tagline “Do Your Part to Help Mow Down Pollution!”, The City of Charleston website shares astounding information to help people understand the emissions from their lawn mowers. For instance, according to the website, in the hour it takes you to mow your lawn, a gas-powered lawn mower emits the same air pollution as driving a car 200 miles.
The website also fuels readers with information such as how many millions of gallons of gasoline are spilled by lawn equipment annually and tips on how individuals can prevent these pollutions. By visiting the website, residents can also enter to win a 14″ Neutron electric mower. The winner will be announced by Charleston Mayor Joe Riley on March 23rd, so enter now.
Do Lawnmowers really cause that much of a problem to the environment?
More than you might think. Cars have sophisticated, government mandated emissions control systems, while small engines, especially the 2-cycle engines which burn an oil/gas mixture and often power equipment like chainsaws and weed-whips exhaust directly out to the atmosphere. But how does it compare?
New York Times: April 24, 2006 “Gallon for gallon… the 2006 lawn mower engines contribute 93 times more smog-forming emissions than 2006 cars.”
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