Pima County DEQ Launches Lawn & Garden Equipment Emission Reduction Program
To improve air quality and reduce pollution created by gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ), in partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, is launching the “Cut Down Pollution” Program. This voluntary lawn and garden equipment replacement program opens to the public today, and will continue throughout 2020 as funding remains available. If successful, this program will remove tons of air pollution from the air we all breathe.
“Our region exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s health standard for ground-level ozone on some days in recent years and small gas-powered motors, like those used in this type of equipment, contribute to the creation of ozone and other air pollutants,” said Beth Gorman, Senior Program Manager at PDEQ. “The more gas-powered equipment that is switched over to cleaner, quieter and less messy electric or battery-powered equipment, the healthier our air will be,” said Gorman. Particulate matter and ozone caused by gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment use can contribute to adverse health effects including heart attacks, stroke, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Cut Down Pollution Program provides vouchers to Pima County residents and businesses that turn in pre-approved gas powered lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment for recycling. In exchange for retiring higher polluting gas mowers, a resident will receive a $150 voucher towards the purchase of a zero-emitting electric or battery operated lawn mower. When PDEQ pre-approved gas powered gardening/landscaping equipment such as leaf blowers, string trimmers, chain saws, edgers, etc. are retired, residents will receive $50 vouchers towards the purchase of electric or manual landscaping equipment. The vouchers can be redeemed at Home Depot stores in Pima County and there is a limit to the number of pieces that can be turned in by residential participants.
For commercial gas-powered lawn mowers, used for hours a day by those who are in the landscaping business, the voucher will be worth $200 towards the purchase of an electric or battery powered lawn mower. Commercial users will receive $50 towards the purchase of electric or manual landscaping equipment for retiring pre-approved gas powered leaf blowers, string trimmers, chain saws, etc. Because of the potential to reduce significantly more air pollution due to the number of hours per day of use, commercial users will be allowed to turn in more pieces of equipment than residential participants.
All equipment must be pre-approved on line prior to turning it in at the various drop off locations. To avoid unapproved equipment drop offs, collection site locations are provided when application is approved or by request. Vouchers will be provided to participants electronically after the pre-approved equipment drop off has been verified by PDEQ staff.
Benefits to Switching from Gasoline-Powered Lawn & Garden Equipment to Electric or Battery Powered Equipment include:
Gasoline powered equipment emits harmful air pollutants that are unhealthy for operators and those nearby to breathe;
No need to purchase, transport or store flammable gasoline;
Gasoline powered landscaping equipment is noisy – often running at over 85 decibels which can damage hearing over time;
No need to deal with the hassle of tune ups and maintenance;
Reduce the risk of Pima County’s air violating national health standards for ground-level ozone air pollution; and
Healthier air for everyone to breathe.
The Cut Down Pollution Program details are available here or by calling (520) 273-9898.
Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) serves Pima County residents by protecting public health and the environment. PDEQ monitors air and water quality; provides hazardous and solid waste programs that ensures waste minimization and pollution prevention; assesses environmental compliance; processes environmental permits and plans; responds to public complaints and inquiries with investigations and enforcement; and reaches the community via public outreach, education, and citizens' assistance.
Visit us at //www.pima.gov/deq. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @PimaDEQ.
