Lawn Care

If you are a homeowner, then chances are that lawn care is a big part of your life. Because of this, it is important to observe sustainable practices when working to keep your yard beautiful. 

Mowing

One of the biggest parts of lawn care is maintaining your grasses height. Traditional gas-powered mowers contribute an incredible amount of carbon emissions when running. According to the EPA, running a gas lawn mower for one hour leads to the following:

  • Pollutes the same as 40 late model cars.
  • Emits the same amount of hydrocarbons (precursors to ground-level ozone) as a SUV driven 23,600 miles.
  • Contribute 93 times more smog-forming emissions than 2006 cars.

These emissions can be avoided by using a powerless, push mower that also helps you exercise! However, if you are unwilling or unable to use one of these mowers, you can also avoid the heavy pollution from gas-powered mowers by switching over to electric mowers:

  • Electric mowers emit 3,300 times less hydrocarbons, 5,000 times less CO, one-fifth as much NOx as gas lawn mowers.
  • Emissions are reduced to zero when run on renewable energy.

Put simply, in Illinois, you can expect to mow your lawn approximately 28 times per year depending on weather conditions. On an average half-acre lawn, if you use a gas-powered mower then you are emitting ~400 pounds of air pollution opposed to the ~230 pounds of air pollution that you would emit when using an electric mower. To calculate your exact emission rate from mowing, click here.

Benefits

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Grass Clippings - Sustainable lawn care calls for you to save your grass clippings after mowing your lawn. The reason behind this is that a 1000 square foot lawn generates approximately 300 pounds of clippings, which rapidly fill up landfills if discarded. Instead of throwing these away, save them and use them in a composting pile. It lessens the burden on landfills and also helps you make your own nutrients that can be reintroduced to your yard. For more information on composting, click here.


Mowing Height - Instead of mowing your lawn down too low, be sure to mow at an appropriate height that allows for maximum water conservation. By doing so, you are lessening the burden on our water treatment facilities, and ultimately, our energy consumption.

Noise - While not completely environmentally related, using electric equipment to take care of your lawn is 50 - 70% quieter than conventional gas-powered equipment. This is not only good for your ears in the long run, but we are positive that your neighbors will appreciate it as well!

Links

The following are great external resources for tips on sustainable lawn care practices:

  • Clean Air Lawn Care - A great resource for information on the benefits of cleaner lawn practices.
  • Sustainable Lawn Alternatives - Your lawn doesn’t always have to involve traditional cover like grass. This website contains many aesthetically pleasing alternatives.
  • Organic Lawn Care - A resource for organic gardening and lawn care practices.