Monday
Jun232008
Small Engines
Monday, June 23, 2008 at 1:10PM | Share Article Did you know that small engines found in lawnmowers, leaf blowers and weed trimmers contribute up to 5% of our air pollution? Two-stroke engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds as well as greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.
The California Air Resources Board determined that old lawn mower motors release 93 times more smog than a new car. The problem lies in the fact that small engines don't have catalytic converters or other emission control features.
A typical gas lawnmower contributes as much air pollution in one season as a car driven 550 km. Statistics Canada estimates that mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers release 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the air in Canada alone.
There have been significant advances made in new gas lawn mowers in the last few years. As a minimum you should consider trading in your old gas lawn mower for a new one. Better yet is to buy an electric lawn mower or a push mower.
If you really want to be an environmental do-gooder then plant more trees, shrubs and flowers that don't require mowing and require less water. For the remaining lawn, mulch the grass clippings and leave them on the lawn. Mulched clippings is a good source of fertalizer and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers that release nitrous oxide, a global warming gas.
The California Air Resources Board determined that old lawn mower motors release 93 times more smog than a new car. The problem lies in the fact that small engines don't have catalytic converters or other emission control features.
A typical gas lawnmower contributes as much air pollution in one season as a car driven 550 km. Statistics Canada estimates that mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers release 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the air in Canada alone.
There have been significant advances made in new gas lawn mowers in the last few years. As a minimum you should consider trading in your old gas lawn mower for a new one. Better yet is to buy an electric lawn mower or a push mower.
If you really want to be an environmental do-gooder then plant more trees, shrubs and flowers that don't require mowing and require less water. For the remaining lawn, mulch the grass clippings and leave them on the lawn. Mulched clippings is a good source of fertalizer and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers that release nitrous oxide, a global warming gas.
Reader Comments (1)
small engines are really a matter of discussion from old times to today...nice post..
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