Gas-powered tools are powerful and reliable, but they have some drawbacks. They're loud and not the best for the environment. They contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil and water contamination.
We've been considering switching to electric equipment for almost ten years but had some concerns. Electric versions were less powerful, reliable, and affordable than gas-powered tools. However, we've been testing new tools and equipment and are pleased to say things have changed!
In 2014, we started taking steps towards a more sustainable future by testing battery-operated leaf blowers from Stihl. These blowers worked great at cleaning up hard surfaces after lawn and garden maintenance. We soon began exploring other battery-powered tools. With advancements in technology, we're confident that we'll be able to fully transition to electric equipment by 2026!
The negative impact of gas-powered equipment
Gas mowers and other lawn care equipment may be small, but they significantly impact our health and the environment — and none of it is good. They emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and surface ozone, affecting air quality and contributing to respiratory issues.
According to the California Air Resources Board, operating a new gas-powered lawn mower for an hour emits as much pollution as driving a new car 300 miles… and is even worse. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Avoid spilling gasoline and oil — Gas and oil spilled during refueling can contaminate the soil and waterways, finding their way into our food supplies and drinking water. Even small gasoline spills evaporate and pollute the air.
- Maintain your equipment — Keep your mower and other equipment in good repair by changing the oil, replacing the air filters and getting regular tune-ups. Keep lawn mower blades sharp.
- Use the proper fuel — Use the appropriate fuel and oil mixture if your mower has a two-stroke engine. Too much oil can create excessive smoke, and too little can damage your engine.
- Use hand tools for small jobs — If your property isn’t too large, consider using rakes, brooms, hand shears, and push-mowers instead of gas-powered equipment. As a bonus, you’ll get quite a workout!
- Go electric — While some energy is used to charge electric batteries, zero emissions are created when using electric equipment to maintain your property.
- Replace some of your lawn with trees and shrubs — This will cut down on your mowing time, reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
What we’re doing to reduce our environmental impact
Advances in battery technology have increased battery life and shortened charging times, making battery-powered equipment a viable option for us. According to the Home Depot, their EGO Power+ self-propelled electric lawn mower can cut up to half an acre on a single charge.
Here’s our progress to date… and what you can expect from us in the future!
- 2014 — we ordered handheld battery blowers for our Lawn Care Applicators.
- 2015 — we supplied our landscape install teams with battery-powered chainsaws and cut-off metal/stone cutting saws.
- 2016 — we supplied our garden teams with their first battery-operated hedge trimmers.
- 2018 — we supplied our Lawn Maintenance team with battery-operated string trimmers.
- 2020 — we made a six-year commitment to transition all lawn maintenance equipment to battery power. This will be done in three phases:
Phase one — A three-year plan to convert all small equipment to battery-powered.
Phase two — A three-year plan to replace all blowers and mowers with battery-operated versions.
Phase three — Exploring battery/electric vehicle options for commercial use.
We’re proud to say that all of our small hand-held equipment is now 100% battery-powered, including string trimmers, battery edgers for sidewalks, and hedge trimmers for winter gardening and routine pruning services. The long-awaited backpack blower versions are also available for testing and ordering now…
We began testing 52” electric lawn mowers in the past two years and will order our first one in 2023. By 2026, we plan to have all the equipment used by our lawn and garden maintenance teams converted to 100% battery-powered equipment.
How does this impact you?
Battery-powered equipment offers many benefits for the environment, as well as for homeowners and clients.
- Reduced emissions — Battery-powered equipment produces zero emissions, making it a clean and eco-friendly option. This helps reduce the greenhouse gasses responsible for global warming.
- Noise reduction — Gas-powered equipment can produce noise levels of up to 100 decibels, damaging hearing and disrupting neighbors. Battery-powered equipment, on the other hand, produces much less noise, making it a more pleasant and peaceful option for lawn and garden maintenance.
- Cost savings — Battery-powered equipment may have a higher upfront cost than gas-powered equipment, but it can be more cost-effective when considering the cost of fuel, oil, and regular tune-ups. These savings will help us keep our prices stable despite inflated fuel costs.
We can help create a cleaner and healthier planet for our children and grandchildren by embracing sustainable practices and moving away from gas-powered equipment.
If you’re interested in hearing more about our move toward electric equipment or would like us to manage your lawn and garden care for you, give us a call or book a free consultation with one of our lawn & garden care specialists. We’re here to help you enjoy your yard!
