AQMD’s 7th Annual Lawn Mower Exchange Program Returns on Earth Day

Registration opens on Earth Day, April 22, for AQMD’s “Mow Down Air Pollution” program, providing Southland residents an opportunity to save money and help reduce air pollution by exchanging a working gasoline-powered lawn mower for a new zero-emission model.

This year and for the first time, AQMD will offer residents a choice of three different zero-emission, battery electric models, ranging from $100 to $160. 

“More than ever people want to save money and this program continues to provide a low-cost way for residents to help improve air quality in their communities,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., AQMD’s Governing Board Chairman.  “Just one conventional gasoline-powered lawn mower used for one year can put as much pollution into the air as one new car driven 22,000 miles.”

As in the past, the program will exchange 4,000 gasoline mowers this season.  When the program ends in June, AQMD will have scrapped more than 28,500 highly polluting gasoline mowers, removing about 57 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compound emissions from the Southland’s air.

       This year, residents will have three models to choose from:

·        Neuton CE 5.3 (14-inch cutting width) $100 (retail price: $399)

·         Neuton CE 6.3 (19-inch cutting width) $160 (retail price: $499)

·        Black & Decker CMM1200 (19-inch cutting width) $160 (retail price: $449)

                                                                                                                    AQMD will hold five events across the Southland on Saturdays between May 2 and June 27. Residents living within AQMD’s four-county jurisdiction must show proof of residency and can register for any event regardless of where they reside in the region.

To participate, residents must pre-register for the mower of their choice at www.aqmd.gov or by calling (888) 425-6247. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on April 22 and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Telephone registration is also available in English and Spanish.

Residents must be at least 18 years old to participate in the program. Gas-powered mowers must be in working order and only one mower per household can be exchanged. Cash, check or major credit cards are accepted for payment.

Exchanging a mower is easy and convenient and participants never have to leave their car. Upon arrival, workers will remove the old gas mower from the vehicle and drain it of hazardous fluids prior to its destruction at a metal recycling facility.  After payment is made, attendants will place the new, boxed mower in the customers’ vehicle.  The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

All events will take place on Saturdays starting at 8 a.m. and ending about noon.

 
This year’s program will again be sponsored by the AQMD in cooperation with Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.  The program is funded through AQMD’s Air Quality Investment Program, which is financed by Southland companies that pay a fee in lieu of offering rideshare incentives as required by AQMD’s Rule 2202.  The lawn mower exchange program will reduce more emissions than would be achieved by an employer rideshare program.
 

AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

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