Mower Swap to Promote Environment

Mount Pleasant will host the 2012 Tri-County Lawn Mower Exchange on March 24.

Residents of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties are encouraged to bring in their old gas-powered mowers to between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Old mowers and power yard tools can be traded in for vouchers on new cordless or corded electric mowers and air friendly yard tools available at discounted, event-only prices. All used mowers will be broken down and parts and oil recycled.

“Participation in the Lawn Mower Exchange helps prevent air and water pollution in our community by reducing emissions and recycling used gasoline and motor oil,” says Hillary Repik, Stormwater Manager for the Town of Mount Pleasant.

According to the EPA, by switching to an electric mower you can help to remove almost the same amount of air pollution as produced, per hour, by 11 cars. Likewise, electric mowers do not rely on gasoline to run, reducing the risk and likelihood of gasoline spills that can be picked up and carried with runoff into our local rivers and marshes.

“By taking steps to keep our air and water clean,” says Repik, “we are helping to protect the health of our families and future generations”.

Besides the environmental benefit, electric mowers also cost less to operate, tend to be of lighter weight, are easy to start and simple to maintain, and quiet.

This year’s Tri-County Exchange is brought to you by DHEC, the Town of Mount Pleasant, City of Charleston, and other local municipalities and non-profits.

The 2012 Exchange is excited to announce that event vendors will include Black & Decker, C Enterprise & The Greenstation, and Preferred Power. All vendors will be represented on site with a variety of lawn mowers and other tools for demonstration and sale.

Event funding, including funding for the exchange vouchers, has been provided by CSX, Kapstone, and KinderMorgan.

For more information on the 2012 Exchange, please visit the event's website.