57 Ways - 2. Cut the Grass Without Gas

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57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

2. Cut the Grass Without Gas
	Whether you are in the market for a new lawn mower or are buying your first one, this an ideal time to consider switching to an electric or an old-fashioned reel mower. According to the U.S. EPA, electric mowers are half as loud as gas mowers, use 70 percent less energy than gas mowers, and require no maintenance, oil, gas, or tune-ups. Electric mowers start at the push of a button, and many of them are cordless.
	Gas-powered lawn mowers, in contrast, are significant sources of air pollution. Using a gas-powered lawn mower for one hour releases as many hydrocarbons into the atmosphere as driving a car 50 miles, says the EPA. Many homeowners also dispose of oil improperly, further damaging the environment.
	Electric mowers are available in either push or riding varieties, and as discharge or mulching mowers. The 12-volt models take about a day to completely recharge. The 24-volt models have a built-in recharger and can be completely recharged in about 16 hours. The 36-volt models, which are riding mowers, charge in about 8½ hours.
	In addition, good old-fashioned reel mowers–push mowers without an engine—are still relatively easy to find. You can purchase them from mail-order catalogs or from many home-and-garden and hardware stores.