Our lawnmower kicked the bucket, so I decided to look for a greener mowing option. When I researched the impact gas lawnmowers have on the environment, I was appalled.

PeoplePoweredMachines.com reports:

Each weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns, using 800 million gallons of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants. Garden equipment engines, which have had unregulated emmissions until very recently, emit high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, producing up to 5% of the nation’s air pollution and a good deal more in metropolitan areas.

A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as 40 late model cars (or as much air pollution as driving a car for 100 miles).

Well, we’re not quite ready to switch to an old fashioned push mower, so we went electric. After some research, we decided on the Craftsman 37051 Electric Mower, from Sears.

It’s lightweight, much quieter than a gas mower (I rocked out to my iPod without having to crank it up), and adjusts easily to different cutting lengths. It comes with a bag for collecting clippings, but so far I’ve only used it for mulching.

You will have to stop mowing to pull the cord out of the way so you don’t mow over it. Pulling a lever on the handle makes the mower start instantly, so starting and stopping isn’t a hassle. I recommend wearing gardening gloves while mowing. I didn’t, and sliced my finger on some sharp plastic around the start lever.

All in all, I am really happy with this mower, it’s effective and amazingly easy to use. And, since there’s no gas exhaust, you can actually enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.