Business First Louisville

 

On Friday April 3, 2009 Business First had ran a nice article about us: “Going ‘greener’ – Sustain store on Frankfort Avenue expands product offerings”.  Read the full article

the ‘Ville gets greener

2′x4′ oil on canvas by Ashley Cecil

 

 Ashley Cecil, the self proclaimed “Painting Activist”, recently featured our CEO Mark Appleberry as a guest writer on her blog. Read the article in full here.

The Dirt Under Your Fingernails

Working in the yard sounds like a great way to spend a warm day.  What could be “greener”?  Well, before you pick up your weed-eater or turn on the mower this spring you should consider a few things. 

The EPA Report

A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as 43 new cars each being driven 12,000 miles!

Over 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled each year while refueling lawn equipment – more than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska.

Lawnmower emissions were only recently regulated. Older engines release 25-30% of their oil and gas unburned into the air. Gas mowers also emit hydrocarbons, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The health toll from this includes cancer as well as damage to lungs, heart, and the immune system.

The Alternatives

Electric mowers don’t totally eliminate pollution, however emissions from the electric industry are regulated.  Also they save on gas spills and gas refinery and transportation.

Only reel mowers* have a ZERO carbon footprint. This is why we vote for them over all other types.  Our second vote goes to electric reel mowers that have an electric kick for those days when the lawn is longer or your time is shorter. [Pictured right is the Brill Razorcut 38 push reel Mower, available at Sustain stores for $249.] 

Well over 5 million gas powered mowers are still sold in the U.S. every year. The replacement of even 500 gas mowers with non-motorized mowers would make drastic improvements in air quality.  [Sparing the air of exactly: 212 pounds of hydrocarbons, 1.7 pounds of nitrogen  oxides (smog ingredients),  5.6 pounds of irritating particles, and 1,724 pounds of carbon dioxide = lots of nasty, toxic stuff!]

A Local Solution

Our friends at REELGREENMOWING, in Louisville, KY, believe that a “small step backwards in lawn maintenance could multiply into a model for the future sustainability and stewardship of creation”.  They are committed to caring for the earth by specializing in reel mowing*, debris sweeping, compost building, poop scooping, and foot aerating.  If you live in the area contact them for an estimate (502) 744-9901/ reelgreenmowing@gmail.com

If you don’t live in the area, consult a local green business guide or consider trading in that gas-guzzling polluter for something a little more earth friendly.  For more information on transitioning your lawn to reel mowing click here.

*Reel mowers are also  known to be superior at cutting grass because they shear rather than tear it as a rotary mower does, causing tip browning 

Sustain on WHAS11