Laserfiche WebLink
An innovative approach to landscape design <br />and maintenance that minimizes air pollution is <br />called clean air landscaping. Reducing <br />ground -level ozone (smog) is important for <br />maintaining good air quality in the Twin Cities <br />metropolitan area. Lawn mowing, trimming, <br />and leaf blowing are big contributors to <br />ground -level ozone pollution. These common <br />landscape maintenance practices typically <br />result in high emissions of volatile organic <br />compounds (VOCs), which combine with <br />nitrogen oxides, sunlight and heat to cause <br />smog. Emissions are especially high from <br />older, gas -powered yard care equipment - <br />particularly from two-cycle (gas/oil mix) mowers. <br />Old gas cans lacking spill -proof spouts are also <br />a problem. You can help reduce smog and make <br />a difference by implementing the clean air land- <br />scaping practices highlighted on this page. <br />For more information on improving our air <br />quality through modified landscaping practices, <br />visit www.hennepin.us/cleanairlandscaping <br />Think <br />Clean Air <br />Landscaping <br />EARTH -FRIENDLY <br />HOME LANDSCAPING <br />ALSO CONTRIBUTES <br />TO CLEANER AIR <br />Atka_ mik. <br />The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <br />notifies people when air quality in the <br />area is compromised. You can sign up <br />for Air Pollution Alerts at www.pca. <br />state. mn.us/air/aqi-subscribe.html. <br />• Do not use a gas mower, trimmer, <br />or leaf blower on very hot days or on Air <br />Pollution Alert days <br />• Mow or trim less frequently, in general, <br />and keep equipment well -maintained <br />• Convert some turf to 'no -mow' <br />vegetation, such as native grasses and <br />wildflowers <br />• Replace your old gas can with a new, <br />no -spill model <br />• Replace your 2-cycle mower with a <br />4-cycle gas mower, OR <br />• Replace your gas mower with an <br />electric or reel-to-reel (push) mower <br />• Never burn yard waste; compost it <br />in your backyard, use your yard waste <br />pick-up service or drop it off at a <br />compost site <br />• Talk to neighbors and friends about <br />changing their landscaping and yard <br />care practices <br />HENNEPIN COUNTY IS A FOUNDING PARTNER IN CLEAN AIR MINNESOTA. <br />gio <br />