Environmental tips for outdoor equipment
Gas-powered yard equipment is a major source of emissions. Harmful environmental effects can be reduced with the following tips.
Avoid spilling gasoline when refueling small engines. Avoiding spills and overfilling will conserve gas and its associated emissions.
Use a safe gasoline container that is convenient and easy to carry. When filling up, use a funnel or spout, pour slowly and make sure that caps and vents are tightly sealed. Store fuel containers in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
If an engine requires a mixture of fuel and oil, closely follow the manufacturer's directions to obtain the most efficient mix. Do not interchange mixtures with different engines unless the recommended formulas are identical.
Maintain your equipment by following the manufacturer's guidelines. Change the oil and clean or replace filters as required. Keep blades sharpened, moving parts cleaned and properly winterize your equipment.
Use manual tools when possible. Manual tools come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit your needs.
Use low-maintenance plants, grass and landscaping, that require less pruning and cutting and grow more slowly. You also can decrease the size of your lawn by landscaping.
Recycle old equipment. Take your old equipment to a recycling center, where the fluids are drained and properly disposed. Lawn and maintenance equipment then can be recycled into newer, more efficient products.
