What's the Greenest Lawnmower?

Hey Mr. Green,
What's the greenest practical lawnmower available, excluding the old-fashioned push-blade type?--Scott in Lexington, Kentucky

An electric mower is by far the best choice. And electric ones with cords are better than battery-powered models, because energy is lost when batteries are charged, and lead is released when those batteries are manufactured and recycled. A University of Florida study reports that, even with updated EPA rules for lawnmower engines, gas-powered models are responsible for the release of about 20 times more hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide than electric mowers, and 10 times as much CO2.

But a lot hinges on the word "practical," and many people just don't find cords or batteries practical.
The bottom line: If your gas-powered mower was made before 1997--the year the EPA started regulating them--you should decommission it. Until that year, one running mower emitted as much pollution as 40 running cars.
Phase 1 of the EPA's campaign required a cut in lawnmower emissions to 70 percent of their 1997 levels. By 2007, Phase 2 had rolled around, limiting mower excretion to less than 30 percent as much as before regulation. Now, Phase 3 models are coming on the market, and they emit less than 20 percent as much as the outmoded, unregulated versions.

The phase of compliance can be found on the engine's label or elsewhere on the machine. So, for the cleanest gas mower, look for the "Phase 3" mark. Because these rules apply to new engines, and because engines wear and get dirtier over time, you might consider replacing an earlier-phase model.

Comments

[Pat Carstensen]

I'm disappointed you let the writer exclude the push-blade mowers, which are no longer so "old-fashioned" -- my newest one is 1/2 the weight of my old one. I love its little scissory song as it snicks across my yard.

[Joy Fatooh]

Ooo, Mr. Green is dead wrong this time! The correct answer to the question "What's the greenest practical lawnmower available, excluding the old-fashioned push-blade type?" is, "The modern push-blade type." Modern push-blade mowers are lightweight, sharp-bladed, quiet, smooth-moving beauties. It's easier to mow an average-sized lawn with one than with anything that requires you lug around cords, batteries or gas... and so much more enjoyable. I only wish all my neighbors would figure that out.

[Curt Johson]

Dear Mr. G,
RE: practical mowers. I don't understand how adding adding gas (and oil) to a mower is easier or more practical than putting a battery into a mower, which takes about ten seconds. And with my first mower, all I had to do was use turn on the switch on my cordless mower. Both are easier than getting gas from a gas station and pouring it in each time.