GREENING SYNAGOGUES RESOURCES

Lawn Equipment

Believe it or not, one conventional gas-powered lawnmower pollutes as much in an hour as forty late-model cars. Though we use them far less, it turns out that lawn care equipment accounts for as much as five percent of American air pollution. Among these pollutants are high levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds -- all implicated in human as well as environmental health. (And to top it off, lawn and garden equipment users inadvertently add to the problem by spilling 17 million gallons of fuel each year while refilling their outdoor power equipment -- more petroleum than spilled by the Exxon Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska.)

As of 1997, the US Environmental Protection Agency had implemented a regulation that establishes emission standards for small spark-ignition engines of 25 horsepower (19 kW) or less. These newer engines will cut emissions by two-thirds or more -- but that’s still not enough. If your synagogue grounds absolutely require gas-powered equipment, make sure it’s a four-stroke motor, rather than the woefully inefficient two-stroke (which mixes gas for power with oil for lubricant, burning neither one well or cleanly).

Best of all, you can employ electric alternatives, both cordless-rechargeable and corded (electricity coming through the grid, though still causing considerable pollution, is vastly more efficient than trying to power portable equipment through a tiny motor). This is an absolute must for leaf-blowers, trimmers, and other light equipment. Electric push-mowers are both cost-competitive and effective for smaller lawns; for larger lawns, new golf-course style riding-mowers are pricier, but worth it.

Make your synagogue a good neighbor, and a good citizen of Earth, by going electric for all your lawn care needs.

A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as 40 late model cars.
-- source: Air Quality Management Division, Los Angeles & Orange Counties, CA

“On the links, zero-emission riding mowers are making it possible for some Southland golfers to tee off earlier. Ransomes Cushman Ryan, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based manufacturer, has developed an emission-free, battery-powered riding mower to trim golf course greens. The electric mower runs for up to three hours on one charge, enough to trim 18 greens. Because they are quiet like electric cars, course operators can run them before dawn without disturbing neighbors. This allows avid golfers to begin play at sunrise and local golf course business owners to improve their bottom line with additional greens fees for that early morning use.”
-- Air Quality Management Division, Los Angeles & Orange Counties, CA