There has never been a better time to start considering your impact on the environment. I’ll admit that it isn’t something that’s at the forefront of most people’s minds but when you stop to think, it’s easy to see the damage that’s already been done.
It would be easy to assume that making small changes such as how you care for your lawn wouldn’t have that big of an overall impact. But that’s where we’re going wrong. If each of us took small steps, we could drastically lower the negative effects on the planet.
If you’re keen to change your impact on the environment and want to start caring for your lawn in a more eco-friendly manner then you’re in the right place. I’m going to be giving you tips on how best to care for your lawn and what tools are the most environmentally friendly.
Why Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Using A Mower
Unless you’ve been living under a rock in recent years, you’ll have heard news reports, read social media posts and seen YouTube or TikTok videos on how the planet is deteriorating. There are several things that are going wrong such as melting ice caps, loss of wildlife habitat and extinction of species, among other things. But did you know that all of these things can be traced back to human activity?
Truth be told, we could all stand to do a little better and understanding why it’s important to reduce your carbon footprint when caring for your lawn is a great place to start. Here are just some of the benefits you’ll notice.
- In the UK, wildlife species are dwindling in numbers. This includes many garden critters such as hedgehogs, bats, and many bird species. With the use of chemical pesticides and lawn care approaches that aren’t eco-friendly, our precious wildlife is losing habitat.
- Moreover, insects require favourable conditions to thrive and by promoting eco-friendly lawn care we are able to provide them with that all-important habitat. You might think this is neither here nor there but when you consider that insects like bees pollinate up to 75% of human food crops, it’s easy to see why it’s vital to protect them.
- If you grow your own fruit and vegetables in your garden then using eco-friendly approaches can increase the quality of your harvest.
- Without using chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, you’re making taking care of your garden safer for you.
- When it comes to your lawn care tools such as mowers, scarifiers, trimmers and any other powered tools, using a petrol model sends harmful fumes into the atmosphere. By reducing your carbon footprint and using electric or manual tools, you’re decreasing the damage you do to the ozone layer and reducing climate change.
Types Of Eco Friendly Lawn Mowers
Back in the day, petrol mowers were a common sight in domestic gardens. They’re renowned for their power and performance but there are plenty of downsides. Not only do these tools emit harmful gases into the atmosphere but they’re also difficult to maintain and require a lot of ongoing attention.
Instead of using a petrol powered lawn mower, you might consider using an electric model. There are corded and battery powered electric lawn mowers and while the old versions may not have done everything you would expect, modern models are giving petrol mowers a serious run for their money. The main advantage? They emit no damaging fumes at all.
There is also the option of a robotic lawn mower and within the last year there have been some significant advances on this technology. With boundary wireless robotic lawn mowers, you not only have the peace of mind that they’re eco friendly but they can also be easily set up to mow different zones. I have an in depth guide on robot lawn mowers if you’d like to find out more.
One of the things that I hear a lot of people talking about when using a cordless or robot mower is that disposing of the batteries is harmful to the environment. However, these machines run on lithium ion batteries which are incredibly long lasting, up to five years, so disposal has a minute impact on the planet.
That said, if you’re keen to steer as far away from any type of power as possible then you might opt for a manual push mower. Now, the one thing you’ll need to keep in mind with these mowers is that they require physical exertion from the user. If you have an uneven, sloped or large lawn then this could be problematic if your strength of stamina isn’t good.
But manual lawn mowers are ideal for anyone looking for an eco-friendly approach to lawn care as they emit no fumes and there’s no need to use electricity or dispose of batteries. Not only this but these lawn mowers are as close to silent as you’re going to get so you’re reducing your noise pollution as well.
How To Choose An Eco Friendly Lawn Mower
After you have decided whether to choose an electric or manual lawn mower, there are a few other things to keep in mind to get the most eco-friendly option.
If you’re going for an electric mower then you will need to consider the power. If your grass is long or thick or you have a large garden then you’re going to need to go for something with a higher voltage. Of course, the higher the voltage, the more energy you’re going to use and since we’re considering the environment, it’s important to choose something with the least power possible. In other words, there’s no need for overkill.
Another thing to consider in terms of power is whether you go for a self propelled or push mower. Both models are powered either by mains electricity or batteries but self propelled mowers will require more power and again, this can impact the environment by using more energy. Unless you are unable to push the mower or your lawn is large, uneven or hilly, a push mower will be the most eco-friendly option.
When choosing a battery powered lawn mower, I would recommend choosing one that comes with interchangeable batteries. This will allow you to get the most out of the mower during each session, especially if you have a sizable lawn as you won’t need to worry about running out of power halfway through the mow. What’s more, many brands, such as Ryobi, offer batteries that can be used in any of their tools. It’s also worth considering batteries with as long a run time as possible which means you’ll need to charge them less.
Battery Mowers: Are They Really That Eco Friendly?
Anything that uses energy stands a chance of not being good for the environment. When you consider a battery powered lawn mower, you have to also consider that the power you use to charge it doesn’t come from a renewable source. Unless you’re harvesting your own solar power, for example, you cannot guarantee that the power is as eco-friendly as possible.
However, when we consider our options in terms of lawn mower types, battery powered models have been scientifically proven to do less damage to the environment as their petrol powered counterparts.
According to one study, however, it was noted that, unsurprisingly, cordless lawn mowers are not 100% eco friendly. They run on lithium ion batteries and mining lithium is not an eco-friendly process in itself due to the amount of water required and the toxins released during the process.
Tips For Maintaining Your Lawn For Optimal Eco-Friendliness
Choosing an eco-friendly lawn mower is just one of the ways you can improve your lawn care routine and reduce your impact on the environment. There are several practices you can put into place to make sure that your lawn maintenance is as kind to the planet as it can be.
- Your lawn produces waste that could be harmful to the environment and simply adjusting your mowing schedule could reduce the amount of waste your lawn produces. It’s important to mow regularly but you don’t need to do it too Mowing the lawn every fortnight and only cutting a third of the length can reduce the risk of pests, diseases and drought.
- We all know that grass needs water to grow but it is possible to go over the top and this wastes water. For a more eco-friendly approach, it’s best to water your lawn first thing in the morning or early evening as this will reduce the risk of the water evaporating so your lawn will be as hydrated as possible without the need for additional water.
- Encouraging healthy growth requires a little more than just mowing and a lot of people opt for chemical fertilisers. But these are not good for local wildlife and this has a knock on effect on the environment. However, by using natural options like mulch, you can still have a healthy lawn all the while being eco friendly. You might also opt for compost which you can make yourself and this prevents chemical run off into local waterways. It’s a win win!
Best Eco Friendly Lawn Mower
FAQ
How Can I Reduce The Carbon Footprint Of My Mower?
One of the most obvious ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your lawn mower is to use a manual or electric model as these emit no fumes.
However, if you’re keen to stick with a petrol powered lawn mower then there are a few things you can do to limit the carbon footprint of your machine.
- Be careful when refuelling your lawn mower so that you don’t spill any petrol. It’s been quoted that there are more than 17 millions gallons of mower fuel spilled each year and when this evaporates, it is harmful to the environment.
- When buying a petrol lawn mower, try to opt for a four stroke engine as these are known to be less damaging to the environment. If you have to use a two stroke engine then it’s vital to get the correct fuel to oil ratio for maximum eco friendliness.
- Good maintenance is one of the best ways to limit the number of emissions your petrol lawn mower puts out. Dedicate some time in your lawn care schedule to tending to your machine.
- It’s best to use a petrol lawn mower early in the morning or in the early evening. On high ozone days, where the levels of pollution combined with the weather could be more damaging to the environment, it’s best not to mow at all.
What Are The Alternative To Petrol Powered Lawn Mowers?
If you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint when mowing then switching from a petrol mower is the best thing you can do. There are several alternatives including a range of electric lawn mowers like corded, battery powered and robotic.
There are also manual push lawn mowers which require no power at all and are the most eco-friendly option. However, they do require some more physical effort from the user.
What Are The Environmental Impacts Of Using A Petrol Powered Lawn Mower?
The emissions from a petrol powered lawn mower include hydrocarbons which are one of the main contributors to pollutants in the air and climate change. Other toxins in the emissions include nitrogen oxide, methane, ethanol and ethane which can cause things like acid rain.
When refilling a petrol powered lawn mower, there is a high risk of spilling the fuel. When this sits on the ground it will evaporate into the atmosphere causing further damage.
Moreover, petrol lawn mowers are the noisiest of all mowers so contribute significantly to noise pollution.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Electric Lawn Mowers?
I’ve heard a lot of people talking about the fact that petrol powered lawn mowers are the best option. However, this is something of an outdated mindset because modern electric models are easily rivalling their petrol cousins. Here are just some of the benefits of using an electric lawn mower, in a nutshell.
- Electric lawn mowers, whether mains powered or battery powered, do not emit any harmful gases into the atmosphere.
- Modern electric lawn mowers have some serious power that enables them to cut the lawn in a clean, precise and neat way that is just as good as a petrol model.
- Being lightweight, electric mowers are often much easier and more comfortable to use and easier to manoeuvre, especially when you have a large garden or your physical fitness isn’t great.
- Unlike petrol lawn mowers, the amount of maintenance when using an electric lawn mower is minimal. It often requires nothing more than brushing away grass clippings and debris and sharpening/replacing the blades periodically.
- Electric lawn mowers are much quieter than petrol ones.
- In many cases, electric lawn mowers are much more affordable than petrol models as they are less expensive to manufacture. Not to mention that, due to the lower amount of maintenance, the running costs are much lower.
What Steps Can I Take To Make My Lawn Mower More Eco Friendly?
The best way to make your lawn mower more eco-friendly is to use a model that doesn’t emit harmful fumes such as a manual, electric or robotic lawn mower.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.