DHEC encouraging use of Electric Lawnmowers

The arrival of spring means it is time to start cutting grass again.  State environmentalists say residents can swap their old equipment for something friendlier to the environment. The Department of Health and Environmental Control says an annual exchange program gives people the chance to get a discount on an electric lawnmower when they turn in their gas-powered devices.  Environmentalists say a riding, gas-powered mower emits as much hourly air pollution as 34 cars. Lawnmowers collected at the event are recycled. Since 2007, more than 1,300 gas-powered mowers have been recycled, cutting emissions equal to removing over 230 cars from state highways.