|Photos Courtesy of Clean Air Lawn Care
|Take a closer look at the panels, which collect sunlight for conversion into the electricity that powers the mowers, edgers and trimmers.
Mowing without hearing
protection and frequent trips to a gas station may seem a dream, but at
least one lawn care company is doing just that. Combining more
environmentally friendly and economically sound lawn care techniques is at
the heart of three-year-old Clean Air Lawn Care (www.cleanairlawncare.com).
Headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo., the company
views lawn care as a business that can be conducted in a sustainable, safe
and efficient way. It has developed a model based upon techniques that
produce quality results through processes that are healthy for fauna,
flora, humans and the environment.
The company uses electric mowers, blowers and trimmers
that are powered with renewable energy sources. Clean Air trucks are
outfitted with solar panels to recharge batteries as required during the
workday, and in their shops wind energy powers chargers and other
equipment. Locally produced biofuel fills the tanks of larger,
gasoline-dependent mowers. To ensure that all aspects of the operation are
carbon neutral, offsets are purchased from Juice Energy, Inc. (www.aboutjuice.com),
an electricity company that works with clients to manage costs and
greenhouse gas risks.
One advantage of the electric-powered equipment
includes reduced emissions as compared to gas models. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) says that running a gas mower for one hour produces
as much pollution as 40 late model cars. Using renewable energy, an
electric mower produces no emissions. Gas mowers typically run at 100
decibels, loud enough to lead to hearing damage; electric models are up to
70 percent quieter.
Clean Air recycles all grass clippings, either on-site
or at an area recycling facility. The company helps clients manage water
and nutrient use by mowing at optimal blade height and offers organic
As industry trends move toward more sustainable
methods, Clean Air may have a jump on competitors who are clinging to
traditional techniques. For example, last September the EPA released new
standards aimed at improving air quality across the United States. The
rules, which will take effect in 2011 for lawn and garden equipment, will
substantially reduce hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and smog-forming
pollutants emitted from lawn mowers, edgers and blowers with 25 hp or less.
The change will yield annual emission reductions of 600,000 tons of
hydrocarbons, 130,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), 5,500 tons of direct
particulate matter and 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide (CO). The EPA
expects the new standards to save approximately 190 million gallons of
gasoline each year. Manufacturers are expected to meet the requirements of
HC+NOx exhaust emission standards of 10 grams per kilowatt hour for Class I
engines in 2012 and 8 grams per kilowatt hour for Class II engines in 2011
by improving fuel systems, engine combustion and, in some cases, adding
Building the business
It all got started in 2003 when Kelly Girard, company
founder and chief executive officer who had studied economics and
environmental policy at Boston University, was in the market for a new
mower. His needs and interests sparked an idea that became Clean Air Lawn
Care. A couple of years later, he challenged a family friend and fellow
environmental policy guru to model a profitable lawn mowing concept that
significantly reduced air pollution. In the space of a summer, a sound plan
was developed, and Clean Air Lawn Care was in operation in Fort Collins the
Girard slowly built a financing and marketing team to
test viability of the business nationwide. In 2007, 10 locations were
Clean Air continues to operate the flagship office in
Fort Collins, which also serves as a test site for new equipment, services
and methods. Those innovations that pass with Manager Chris Cassis are
incorporated into the standard business model.
“We run the solar system to failure on
100-degree days, we test the viability of compost teas, and we also test
the limits of the human body,” he says.
Today, Clean Air has franchise locations in Arizona,
California, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington.
|Clean Air Lawn Care uses electric mowers, trimmers and blowers to cut their carbon footprint.
Inside a franchise operation
Mill Nash owns a Clean Air Lawn Care franchise in
Marin County, Calif., which he opened in 2008. He says a large portion of
his work is in educating potential clients about the benefits of the Clean
“Once people understand the damage that
traditional lawn care produces, it is a layup,” Nash says.
His clients are drawn by the pollution-free,
chemical-free and gasoline-free methods that Clean Air uses. Nash prefers
not to use pesticides, but does offer low-toxic inputs, such as corn gluten
or beneficial nematodes, to clients demanding pest treatment.
“Customers love the fact that we are much
quieter,” Nash says. “I had not realized how important that has
become to people, and yet it seems so obvious. Many local communities in
Marin County have actually banned gas-powered leaf blowers.”
Nash worked in lawn care during high school and
college and went on to a management career working with such companies as
Starbucks before returning to his roots in the green industry. He says that
anyone who operates gas mowers will be pleased with the greater ease
electric models offer. There’s no gas tank to fill, no oil and plugs
to change and no need for tinkering with the engine. They are easy to start
and no more costly than traditional gas mowers. Clean Air uses mowers from
Neuton Power Equipment (www.NeutonPower.com), based in Vergennes, Vt. Nash
says overall operating costs are comparable to those for companies using
traditional techniques; thus, electric lawn care firms can be competitive
with other providers.
For electric mowers, sharp blades and charged
batteries are musts. Working with the batteries is the biggest challenge.
Although their running time is improving, it can be difficult to keep
batteries charged for a full workday. However, several lawns can be
completed before a battery change is required.
“Most electric mowers say the life of a charge
is about 1/3 of an acre, or about an hour,” Nash says. “I have
been able to do at least that and more.” Black & Decker offers an
electric mower said to recharge its battery up to 70 percent of full
capacity in four hours and to 100 percent in 10.
Most of Nash’s clients are homeowners, although
the commercial side of the business is growing. Clean Air customers are
likely to be interested in learning about healthy lawn care practices and
appreciate Nash’s guidance in reducing water use or creating a
composting system. He offers a range of lawn care and gardening services,
along with specialty programs crucial in his region, such as fire abatement
services to reduce the risk of property damage should a wildfire occur.
Learn more about innovative lawn care techniques
online at the EPA Web site (www.epa.gov/greenpower) and the U.S. Green
Building Council Web site (www.usgbc.org/leed).
Based in Greensboro, N.C., the author writes
articles about horticulture, landscaping, agriculture and travel. She has
been a contributor to Moose River Media publications for three years.