COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina residents will have another alternative to using gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment this summer, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.

“Annual Lawn Mower Exchange events provide residents the opportunity to purchase electric lawn and garden equipment at a discounted price. Those who trade in their gasoline-powered mower receive an additional discount towards the purchase of a new electric mower,” said Myra Reece, air quality bureau chief for DHEC.

“Most people do not associate air pollution with lawn and garden maintenance,” Reece said, “but emissions from outdoor power equipment are a significant source of air pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a push mower emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars.”

The exchange operates under a partnership including DHEC, county and local governments, and Black & Decker. Funding for the exchange program comes from local sponsorships. Lawn mowers collected at the event are recycled.

“The lawn mower exchange is a great way for people to get involved in improving air quality and saving money,” Reece said. “Since the program’s inception in 2007, 1,371 gasoline-powered mowers have been recycled, reducing emissions equal to removing over 230 cars from the highways. We hope to increase that number this year in order to continue improving air quality for all of South Carolina.”