April 2002 Buy Recycled Tip

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Before You Mow Your Lawn Consider:
Electric Lawn Mowers

Now that spring is upon us, it will soon be time to start mowing our lawns again. Electric lawn mowers are readily available and are a beneficial alternative to conventional gasoline mowers. If you plan to purchase new mowers, consider the following benefits of changing to an electric model:

Environmental Benefits:

Electric lawn mowers produce zero emissions while mowing a lawn for an hour with a gas mower can cause more air pollution than driving from Boston to New York in a new car.

· According to the Environmental Protection Agency, gasoline-powered lawn mowers cause 5% of the nation’s air pollution.

· Gasoline spills are non-existent with an electric mower.

Noise Reduction:

· An electric mower runs at a 65-85 decibel range, compared to a gas mower running at 90 decibels. Normal conversation is about 75 decibels.

· Unlike the gas mower, there is no yanking on a power cord to start the mower. With an electric mower, you just push a button.

Safety Effects:

· There are no safety hazards due to exposure and fire hazards that are associated with the handling of gasoline.

· Now that most of the electric mowers are battery-operated and cordless, there is no risk of potential electric shock.

· In electric mowers, risks due to battery acid exposure can be reduced by purchasing sealed batteries that eliminate the need for periodic maintenance.

Cost Savings:

According to a study done by the Tufts Climate Initiative, electric mowers cost slightly more than conventional mowers, but when amortized over several years, the annual cost of an electric mower is significantly lower than a gas mower ($2300 vs. 3200).
Electric lawn mowers are inexpensive to use. It costs about $5 a year for electricity, compared to gas mowers costing $20-$30 a year in gas and oil.
There are no tune-ups for an electric mower, unlike the engine tune-ups or the messy oil changes needed to maintain a gas mower. These services can cost anywhere from $50 to $200.

For more information about electric mowers and where to buy them, check out these websites:

Tip Sources:

1. www.mge.com/residential/appliances/mowers.htm
2. www.anr.state.vt.us/reflect/may2801.htm
3. www.doityourself.com/tools/cordlesselectriclawnmowers.htm
4. www.tufts.edu/tie/tci/Landmowers.html