An older, gas-powered lawn mower can belch more pollution into the air in a single year than a car driven 22,000 miles, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). This is why the SCAQMD offers a Lawn Mower Exchange Program for residents to trade in their old and sputtering, grass-cutting machines for a new electric lawn mower.
Now in its 13th year, the 2015 program is offering 4,000 mowers for trade-in. The Long Beach exchange event will be held on Saturday, May 9 at Veterans Memorial Stadium from 8:00AM to noon. Attendees must pre register before May 9 by visiting the registration page here and should keep in mind registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“By participating in the Lawn Mower Exchange Program, residents will get a brand new mower that is easier to operate and quieter than a gas model for just a fraction of the retail price,” said William A. Burke, chair of the SCAQMD, in a statement.
He added that not only will participants get a great deal on a lawn mower, they will also be improving the air quality within their community. By the program’s end this summer, after six events in the southland, SCAQMD will have scrapped more than 57,000 gasoline mowers, removing almost 112 tons of smog-forming pollutants from the air.
Residents will have the opportunity to register and choose from one of six Black+Decker and Greenstation battery electric models ranging from $100 to $250:
- Black+Decker 18” 36-volt, $100 (Retail price: $350)
- Black+Decker 19” 36-volt, $180 (Retail price: $400)
- Black+Decker 20” with two 40-volt lithium batteries, $250 (Retail price: $450)
- Greenstation 20” 24-volt, $160 (Retail price: $430)
- Greenstation 19” 24-volt self-propelled, $250 (Retail price: $470)
- Greenstation 18” 36-volt, $100 (Retail price: $365)
The exchange process is simple. Upon arrival, workers will remove the old gas mower from participants’ vehicles, drain it of hazardous fluids before its destruction at a metal recycling facility. After payment, attendants will place the new, boxed mower in the customer’s vehicle.
Gas-powered motors being exchanged must be in working order and only one mower per household can be traded in. Cash, check or major credit cards are accepted for payment. Residents can also pre register by calling (888)-425-6247.
This year’s program is sponsored by SCAQMD in cooperation with the California Air Resources Board (ARB), with special thanks to Southern California Edison, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Anaheim Public Utilities, City of Anaheim, Veteran’s Stadium and Long Beach City College, City of Riverside and Bourns, Inc., Santa Anita Park, Citizens Business Bank Arena and Van Nuys Airport. The program is funded through ARB’s Carl Moyer Program.