It’s that time of year! Each weekend about 54 million Americans mow their lawns, using 800 million gallons of gas annually and producing tons of air pollutants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a new gas-powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution in one hour as 11 new cars. (Source: http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm )
The Ecology Action Center’s Yard Smart program encourages yard care that is ecologically sustainable. Their website offers a host of helpful resources about steps you can take, such as switching to low-maintenance native landscaping, and reducing your reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers.