Clean Air & Lawn Care
Routine lawn maintenance contributes
to air pollution in Greater Kansas City.
Like cars, lawn equipment powered by gas engines generates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These chemicals interact in heat and sunlight to form ground-level ozone — the main ingredient in smog. In one hour, a push mower emits as much pollution as 11 cars, and a riding mower emits as much pollution as 34 cars. In the U.S., lawn and garden equipment use totals more than 3 billion hours a year.
What can you do?
Every year, Americans spill and leak enough gasoline while refueling lawn and garden equipment to fill a supertanker.
A loosely capped gas can emits as much VOC pollution as driving a car 15 miles.
Running a gas-powered push mower for one hour produces as much pollution as 11 cars.
An estimated 7 percent of VOC emissions in the metro area are caused by lawn and garden equipment
- Go Native ~ Decrease your mowing area by planting native flower beds and shrubs. Native plants require little or no maintenance and use less water, fertilizer and pesticide than grass. You can save time and money — and cut back on pollution.
- Tune up ~ Well-tuned lawn equipment runs more efficiently, emitting less pollution, using less fuel and requiring fewer repairs. Sharper blades trim more efficiently, reducing the time the engine must run.
- Mow later ~ More ozone forms from VOC and NOx when it’s hot and sunny. By mowing in the cool of the evening, you’ll help reduce pollution. Don’t mow at all on Ozone Alert days.
- Consider alternatives ~ Electric mowers work great for smaller lawns — and manual tools emit no pollution at all! For gas-powered equipment, remember that 4-cycle engines emit half as much pollution as 2-cycle (gas/oil mix) engines.
- Avoid fuel spills ~ Spilled gasoline is a large contributor to air pollution. Use a funnel and pour slowly. A no-spill gas can will help you avoid both spills and evaporation. Cap the gas can tightly and close the vents.