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Organization: South Coast Air Quality Management District
Date: April 14, 2009
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.
May 2 Long Beach Veteran's Memorial Stadium 5000 E. Lew Davis St.
May 9 Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter Stadium 8408 Rochester Ave.
May 16 Palm Desert CSUSB Palm Desert Campus 37500 Cook St.
June 13 Pasadena Rose Bowl Stadium, Lot I 1001 Rose Bowl Dr.
June 27 Anaheim Angel Stadium 200 Gene Autry Way
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.
