• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world

 

Saturday, May 26, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Matt Hickman

Mow Town hits

On the market for a new lawnmower? Mull over these emission-free options ranging from a classic manual model to a Rosie Jetson-esque wonder.

Tue, Mar 10 2009 at 11:33 PM EST

Photo by rorris
For some, cutting grass is a pain; for others, it’s therapeutic. Personally, I used to love it (it guaranteed me a weekly allowance) aside from the fumes, gas-stink, noise, and strained arm from trying to start the darn things. Whatever your personal feelings towards the art of lawn mowing, one thing’s for certain: Using a fuel-leaking, smog-blowing, gas-powered mow machine is one of the more flagrant eco-sins you can commit in the world of landscaping.
 
According to the big brains over at the Union of Concerned Scientists, operating a gas-powered mower for one hour spews the same amount of air pollutants — carbon monoxide and smog-forming hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides — into the atmosphere as eight new cars traveling at 55 miles per hour.  
 
The EPA’s dirt on lawnmowers is no cleaner. The organization (this past September, they tightened emission standards for lawnmowers) estimates that the 54 million lawn-manicuring Americans pushing gas-powered mowers on a weekly basis are responsible for around 5 percent of the nation’s air pollution. Air pollution aside, the EPA also claims that all that sloppy funneling of gas into lawnmowers results in 17 million gallons of spilt gasoline each year. 

 

The obvious alternative to loud n’ leaky gas mowers are cordless or non-cordless electric models. They generally cost more up front but in terms of environmental savings they save a bundle (one eco-caveat is that they do require a bit of fossil fuel-draining juice to power-up). And then there are people-powered push, or reel, mowers. They give the closest grass-shave out there, provide a genuine workout, and will reduce your carbon footprint by 80 pounds a year. But those with weeds, take heed: Push mowers are best used on small, weed-less lawns. 
 
There are plenty of eco-friendlier lawnmowers on the market, some super-fancy and geared towards and others straightforward. Below are a few smog-less options to consider before you head out to give your patch of green a trim. If you're not convinced, crunch some numbers with the EPA's Lawn Mower Exchange Program Calculator. 
 
RM200 RoboMower Lawnmower @ Sears ($1,399.99)
If Rosie from the Jetsons could cut grass… This battery operated, remote controlled mower is pricey (it comes with a theft deterring alarm system) but will mow up to 2,700 square feet of yard by itself. You just have to push start, sit back and relax. For those who don’t like mowing, the Robomower is priceless. It comes with a rain sensor, a one blade mulching system, and of course, zero emissions.
 
 
 
 
Neuton 14” Cordless Mower @ Amazon.com ($359)
Okay, unlike the Robomower, you have to manually operate the cordless/electric Neuton. But that’s the beauty of moving the lawn – it’s exercise. The battery-powered, zero-emission Neuton doesn’t require a big yank to start, just the push of a button. No fumes, little noise, no gassy mess. A single charge will power the Neuton for an hour.
 
 
 
 
 
Black  & Decker 18” Lawnhog Electric Mulching Mower @ Target ($199)
Mow and manicure fume-free with this simple, affordable, non-cordless electric lawnmower from Black & Decker.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earthwise 20” Cordless Electric Lawnmower @ Clean Air Gardening ($399)
This cordless/electric mower from Earthwise comes with all the bells and whistles: A mulching chamber, a side vent, a discharge chute, a comfortable handle, adjustable cutting-length settings, and a removable battery that can be charged in or out of the mower; the battery is good for around 45 minutes of mowing per charge. 

 

 

 

Brill Razorcut 38 Push Reel Mower @ Clean Air Gardening ($249)
This new lightweight model — “The Mercedes of reel lawnmowers”  — from Brill is all about precision (want your lawn to look like a golf course?) and not having to mess around with gas engines or batteries. The five-blade cutting system is effective, quiet, and requires little maintenance. Like other reel mowers, the Brill Razorcut doesn’t handle weeds well and should be used regularly unless you have biceps of steel. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunlawn LMM40 Manual Push Reel EcoMower @ EcoMowers ($139)
This lean, clean grass-cutting machine is easy to maneuver and feature Sunlawn's patented five blade, flame-hardened, non-contact, cutting system. An optional grass catcher is available. It's the reel deal. 
Previous Post
The manure menagerie
   Next Post
Dressing up switch plates
You might also like:
Related Topics: Green shopping, Oil & Gas, Pollution

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (2)

anonymous
Guest 03/12/2009 15:41 PM

I just starting using my Black & Decker CMM1200 again yesterday and discovered another unique feature of cordless mowers, chopping! If you run over a large palm leaf or ant pile with a gas mower, you will have to pull the cord to get it going again. An electric mower only requires you to lift slightly to free up the blade!

We should all do our part to save the environment and encourage the growth of the solar and wind power industries. Cordless electric lawn mowers go a long ways.... More

  • |
  • Reply
  • report this post 

anonymous
Guest 03/12/2009 11:38 AM

Hey, Matt,

Thanks for citing the UCS lawnmower data. American drivers also use about 683 gallons of fuel each year in their cars. The big brains in our vehicles program recommend refraining from speeding and driving around 55 miles per hour on the highway as a big step people can take today to reduce gas consumption. Doing so can boost fuel economy as much as 23 percent.

Thanks,
Aaron Huertas
Press Secretary
Union of Concerned Scientists

  • |
  • Reply
  • report this post 

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    •  
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

EDITORS' PICKS

tease to asteroids

tease to pet facials

tease to emotional eating

ADVERTISEMENT

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

About Matt Hickman

Eco-living expert blogs about best ways to go green at home.

RSS feedMore about Matt

Recent Posts

  • Playing Catch up: 'Til Tuesday
  • Composting that cuppa: PG Tips launches tea bag recycling initiative
  • No, you're not hallucinating: Designer unveils wooden light bulb
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor

Calculate the amount of water you use to wash dishes

New Ziploc® VersaGlass™ Containers make saving water and time a snap! more >

Photo gallery: 6 most pesky warm weather bugs

Don’t let annoying bugs ruin your outdoor fun. Keep insects out with plant-based... more >

Play the Glade Decor Scents Fragrance Photo Hunt

Test your skills of observation by spotting all five differences in each pair of... more >

Healthy home, happy family: Facts about SC Johnson products

Being a fifth generation family business gives SC Johnson a unique perspective.... more >

What’s Inside SC Johnson: A look at our product ingredients

As a family company, SC Johnson goes beyond industry standards in creating... more >
SC Johnson: A family company since 1886

Matt's BLOGROLL

Design BoomDwell
GOODCo.Design
Jetson GreenCurbed National
Core77TreeHugger
NY Times Home & GardenL.A. at Home

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports

Follow MNN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Google+
  • StumbleUpon
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS