Did you know that operating a gas mower for one hour causes as much pollution as driving a car for 50 miles?
Tacoma and Pierce County residents can help the environment by recycling their old gas-powered lawn mowers for free at the Tacoma Landfill on Saturday, April 13, as reported in yesterdays Index.
The mower turn-in event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the landfill, at 3510 S. Mullen St., and is part of a month-long Northwest Natural Yard Days promotion sponsored by City of Tacoma Environmental Services and 35 other local government agencies.
Northwest Natural Yard Days is an effort to reduce yard waste, conserve water and protect natural resources.
During the month of April, all Pierce County Home Depot, Lowes Home Improvement and McLendon Hardware stores will offer discounts on mulching mowers, push mowers and other natural yard care products such as water timers, organic fertilizers, compost, soaker hoses, rain barrels, insecticidal soap and weed pullers.
Residents who practice natural yard care use less water and significantly reduce the amount of pesticides that affect Tacomas water, air quality and soil health. Did you know:
– Homeowners without pesticide use training may use five to 10 times more chemicals per acre on their lawns than farmers use on agricultural land.
Instead, try using natural organic or slow-release fertilizers, which are healthier for your yard.
– Lawn and garden watering make up more than 40 percent of summer water use, when supplies are lowest and salmon need water the most.
Instead, use drip irrigation and soaker hoses, which deliver water directly to the soil.
– Grass clippings are overloading compost facilities. Instead, use a mulching mower and grasscycle by leaving clippings on the lawn. Grasscycling cuts mowing times by 38 percent.
Northwest Natural Yard Days is an outgrowth of the successful Get Mower For Less promotion that started in 1998.
Over the last four years, Puget Sound residents have taken home more than 15,000 electric mulching and push lawn mowers sold at special events.
For more information on either Northwest Natural Yard Days or the free mower turn-in event on April 13, call the Tacoma Landfill at 253/591-5543.
