Why Act?

Mowing the lawn for an hour with a gasoline-powered mower can put as much pollution into the air as a 350-mile automobile trip. Americans use 800 million gallons of gas per year to cut the grass. There are two excellent alternatives to using a gas-powered mower to mow your lawn. An old-fashioned, person-powered push reel mower causes no pollution and gives you healthy exercise. An electric mower is quieter and less polluting than a gas-powered model.

Action Steps

1. Decide whether a push reel mower or electric mower will work best for you.

2. Research various models available.

3. Purchase your preferred mower.

Materials

Computer and phone book to locate sources for push reel and electric mowers.

Time

The time needed to research options and make the purchase.

Resources

The Green Guide: Muscle Mow Your Lawn
www.thegreenguide.com/blog/lighten-up/387

U.S. EPA Your Yard and Clean Air
www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/19-yard.pdf

Clean Air Gardening: How to Choose an Environmentally Friendly Lawnmower
cleanairgardening.com/choosingmower.html

People Powered Machines
www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm