Just One Thing: Make Your Mower Eco-Friendly
An electric lawnmower offers several benefits compared to a gas mower.
July 2, 2009 — -- According to the Environmental Protection Agency there are more than 30 million gas-powered lawn mowers in the U.S. and 90 percent of all lawn mowers in the U.S. have gasoline engines.
Gas lawnmowers also create 5 to 10 percent of the air pollution in the U.S.
But gifted gardeners looking for greener alternatives to gas-guzzling lawnmowers can try electric mowers. In addition to being 30 percent lighter than gas models, electric mowers are cheaper to operate.
Mowing a 10,000-square-foot lawn 20 times a year with an electric mower uses less than $5 in electricity. A gas powered motor would cost $50-$75.
Check out some alternatives to the gas lawnmower below.
American Lawn Mower Company Reel Mower
The old-fashioned mower uses human power for zero carbon footprint and a price tag of $75.
Ecomowers Reel Mower
It's a manual mower that has been updated for the 21st century. It's very lightweight and user-friendly. It also never needs sharpening.
The cost is around $150.
Black & Decker CMM 1200
It's a 19-inch battery-powered mower with a rechargeable battery, which is Energy Star compliant. This mower uses 1/25 the energy of average gas mowers and no gas, oil or tune-ups are required.
The battery is a 24-volt sealed lead acid system and the liquid won't leak. The electric equipment emits no air pollution at point of use.
Cost is about $399.
Amp by Ariens
It's the nation's first battery-powered riding mower and it just hit the market this year. The grass cutter runs about 75 minutes on a charge.
It has the added bonus of being 50 percent quieter than gas mowers and can mow one acre an hour. The price is $3,299.