A/420/F-96/017
vvEPA
itates
nental Protection
Air and Radiation
Agency
EPA420-F-96-017
January 1997
Office of Mobile Sources
Resource
Information
EPA Resources on Environmentally
Beneficial Landscaping
EPA offices provide a variety of resources to answer questions about how to
care for your lawn and landscape in ways that benefit the environment. The
following lists many of those resources and where to find them.
Internet
http ://www. epa. go v/greenacres/
Site provides information on "green" landscaping, including how-to's and case
studies.
Landscaping
and
Gardening
Sustainable Landscaping - For a Healthier Environment (1995) Contact:
Region III, EPA's Public Environmental Education Center (215)566-5121.
A Gardener's Guide to a Healthier Environment (5pages): 1994 Contact:
Region III, EPA's Public Environmental Education Center (215)566-5121
Xeriscape Landscaping - Preventing Pollution and Using Resources Efficiently
(EPA-840-B-93-001, April 1993)**
Be A Grower, Not A Mower (EPA 420-F-96-018) - Contact the EPA National
Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (313) 668-4333
Lawn and
Equipment
Care
Your Yard and Clean Air (EPA 420-F-94-002, May 1996) Contact: The EPA
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (313)668-4333.
Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment - Caring for Your Lawn in an Environmen-
tally Friendly Way (EPA-700-K-92-005, June 1992)**
Recycling Grass Clippings- Fact Sheet (EPA-530-F-92-012, July 1992)
> Printed on Recycled Paper
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Pesticides
A Consumer's Guide to Safer Pesticide Use (EPA-170-OPA 87-013, Sep.
1987)**
Pesticides in Drinking-Water Wells (EPA-20T-1004, Sep. 1989)**
Pesticide Reregistration (EPA-700-K92-004, May 1992)**
Partners for Pesticide Environmental Stewardship (EPA-730-F-95-002, Sep.
1-995)**
Integrated Pest Management - An Environmentally Soun\8Approach to Pesr
Control (1 folded page) Contact: Region 3 EPA, (215) 566-2062
Citizens Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (EPA-730-K-95-001)**
PEST SMART Updates (EPA-733-N-96-001, EPA-733-N-95-002, EPA-733-N-
95-01, EPA-733-N-94-001)Contact: Office of Pesticide Programs, (703) 308-
8189**
Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting Integrated Pest Management
(EPA-735-F-93-012)**
Modify Pest Habitat to Reduce the Need for Pesticides (no date) Contact:
Rgeion 2 Public Outreach Branch (212)637-3671.
Composting Yard Waste Composting (EPA-530-SW-91-009, May 1991)**
Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Composting Options: Lessons From 30
Communities (EPA/530-R-92-015)**
Summary of Markets for Compost (EPA-530-SW-90-073B, Nov. 1994)
Contact: RCRA/Superfund Hotline (800)424-9346.
Markets for Composting (EPA/530-SW-90-073A, Nov. 1993) Contact:
National Technical Information Service (703)487-4650 (PB94-100138)
Yard Waste Composting-A Study of Eight Programs (EPA-530-SW-89-038,
April 1989) Contact: National Technical Information Service (703)487-4650.
Composting Yard Trimmings and Municipal Solid Waste (EPA/5 3 OR-94-003)
Contact: National Technical Information Service (703)487-4650 (PB94-163250).
Miscellaneous Beneficial Use of Sewage Sludge - Land Application (EPA-440-5-91-012, Oct.
Topics 1991)**
Cooling Our Communities - 1992 Report Contact: Office of Economy and
Environment [Steve Winet] (202)260-8825
For More
Information
The EPA Task Group on Environmentally and Economically Beneficial Land-
scaping pulls together a number of EPA offices which work on issues related to
pollution prevention through landscape practices. For additional information on
this task group, call (313) 668-4333.
**Contact: National Center for Environmental Publications and Information (513) 489-8190
2
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Preventing Pollution in Your Backyard
Tips for Reducing Emissions from Lawn Care Equipment
Preventing pollution from the use of lawn and garden equipment has only recently
been receiving attention. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
power equipment industry are working to bring cleaner technology to the market.
Consumers have an important role by adopting practices to further prevent
pollution.
Avoid spilling gasoline or allowing evaporation. Even small gasoline spills
evaporate and contribute to the ground-level ozone (or "smog") problem.
Use a gasoline container size you can handle easily and hold securely so
you can pour slowly and smoothly while filling the equipment gasoline
tank.
Use a spout or funnel when pouring gasoline into the equipment.
Avoid overfilling the power equipment gasoline tank or allowing fuel to
run over. Special nozzles are available with an automatic stop device.
These inexpensive devices are available at many hardware stores. They
work by keeping the gasoline from pouring until the nozzle is inserted
into the tank, stopping flow automatically when the tank becomes full,
and sealing the container when the nozzle is removed from the tank.
Close the cap or spout and vent hole on the gasoline container tightly after
filling the gasoline tank and after filling the container at the gas pump.
Also remember to recap the gasoline tank on the equipment.
Transport and store the gasoline container and power equipment out of
direct sunlight and in a cool place, if possible.
Use caution when putting gasoline into a gas can at the pump.
Maintain and use your equipment properly. A well-maintained piece of
equipment will not only run cleaner, but will perform better and last longer. Tips
for maintaining gasoline equipment include:
Change oil as indicated in the owner's manual.
Regularly clean or replace air filters.
Use the correct oil for the temperature (30W oil is recommended for
summer temperatures). If operating two-stroke equipment, use the
proper fuel/oil mixture.
Get periodic tune ups.
Keep mower blades sharp and the underside of the deck clean.
Certification Division, National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
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Winter-proof equipment each fall. This includes emptying all fuel,
draining and replacing oil (if used), checking the air cleaner, cleaning the
engine, and other routine maintenance.
Consider cleaner options and dispose of equipment properly.
New, cleaner gasoline equipment is entering the market. Ask your dealer
about these.
Check out the electric options. Cordless, battery-operated lawnmowers,
edgers, trimmers, and hedgetrimmers are available, in addition to the
traditional cord varieties. Electric equipment is often easier to use and
maintain, uses less energy, and operates more quietly, in addition to
creating less emission.
Manual options are also improving. The reel push mower has become
lighter in weight, is easy to use, and is very quiet, generating no emissions.
Older gasoline equipment, because of the high emissions, should be
disposed of by recycling the equipment at a local scrap or recycling dealer,
instead of selling or giving away the equipment for use by someone else.
Reduce mowing time. By mowing less, you can directly reduce emissions.
Keep gasoline mower blades sharp, the underside of deck clean, and cut
grass efficiently to keep running time down.
Choose low maintenance turf grasses or grass/flower seed mixes which
grow slowly so you need to mow less often. Check with your local
agricultural extension service or lawn and garden center about what is
appropriate for your region.
Decrease lawn area. Planting additional trees and shrubs can also reduce
the energy costs of heating and cooling your house, while providing
landscaping for wildlife. Native wildflowers and plants require little to no
maintenance after planting.
By doing these things, the consumer can join the partnership to prevent pollution
from lawn and garden equipment.
May 2,1995
For Further Information:
The EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory is the national center for
research and policy related to mobile source pollution. For further information, write to
us at 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, or call 313/668-4411.
Certification Division, National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
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Landscaping Bibliography Rev. 5/9/95
General books supporting alternatives:
Noah's Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards., Sara Stein,
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.
The Front Garden: New Approaches to Landscape Design, Mary Riley Smith,
Houghton Mifflin Co., 1991.
Taylor's Guide to Specialty Nurseries, Barbara J. Barton. Part of Taylor's
Guide to Gardening Series. Boston:Houghton Mifflin Co, 1993.
The Weekend Garden Guide, Work-Saving Ways to a Beautiful Backyard,
Susan A. Roth.Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991.
Xeriscape Gardening, Connie Lockhart Ellefson, Thomas L. Stephens, and
Dough Welsh, Ph.D., MacMillan Publishing Company, New York, 1992.
The Environmental Gardener, edited by Janet Marinelli, Brooklyn Botanic
Garden, Brooklyn, NY, 1992.
Easy Maintenance Gardening, A. Cost. Sinnes, San Francisco, Ortho Books,
1982.
The Garden That Cares For Itself, Greg Williams. San Roman, CA: Ortho
Books, 1990.
Ground Cover Plants: Step by Step to Growing Success, Stephen Taffler,
Wiltshire, England; Crowood Press Limited, 1991.
The Low Maintenance Garden, Graham Rose, The Viking Press, New York,
1983,168 pages.
The Starter Garden, Cheryl Merser, HarperCollins Publishers, New York,
1994.
Subtitled: The Guide for the Horticulturally Hapless.
Field and Forest: A Guide to Native Landscapes for Gardeners and
Naturalists. Jane Scott, Walker and Company.
Just Weeds. Pamela Jones, Chapters.
Books specifically about native plants:
Wildflowers Across America, Lady Bird Johnson and Carlton B. Lees, 1993,
Abbeville Press.
Contact List
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The Wild Garden: Making Natural Gardens Using Wild and Native Plants,
Violet Stevenson, Penguin Books, 1985.
Landscaping with Wild/lowers and Native Plants, William H. W. Wilson,
Ortho Books, San Francisco, CA, 1984.
Natural Landscaping, John Diekelmann and Robert Schuster, McGraw-Hill
Book Company, New York, 1982.
Subtitled: Designing with Native Plant Communities
Landscaping with Wild/lowers: An Environmental Approach to Gardening,
Jim Wilson, Houghton Mifflin Compnay, Boston, 1992.
Requiem for a Lawnmower, and Other Essays on Easy Gardening with Native
Plants, Sally Wasowski, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Tx, 1992.
Books specific to lawn care:
Lawns and Groundcovers, ed. Fran Feldman. (also published separately as
Lawns and Groundcovers) Sunset Books, Sunset Publishing Corp. Menlo
Park,CA 1991.
The Lawn Expert, Dr. D.G. Hessayon. London, Transworld Publishers Ltd.,
1982.
Jerry Baker's Lawn Book, Ballantine Books, NY, 1987.
Redesigning the American Lawn: A Search for Environmental Harmony, F.
Herbert Bormann, Diana Balmori, Gordon T. Geballe. New Haven, Yale
University Press, 1993.
The Environmental Gardener: The Solution to Pollution for Lawns and
Gardens, Laurence Sombke. New York: MasterMedia Limited, 1991.
Beautiful Easy Lawns and Landscapes, Laurence Sombke. Old Saybrook, CT:
The Globe Pequot Press, 1994.
Down-to-Earth Natural Lawn Care, Dick Raymond, Pownal, VT: Storey
Communications Inc., 1993.
The Chemical-Free Lawn. Warren Shultz, Rodale Press
Contact List
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Some other materials and sources (copies available of most of these):
Natur'escaping: A Landscape Alternative. Videotape. Produced by Sam Love,
Public Production Group, Washington, DC, 1992. 29 minutes, $29.95 plus
$3.95 shipping.
"Be a Grower, Not a Mower." Brochure available free by writing Gardener's
Supply Co., 128 Intervale Road, Dept. 1017, Burlington, VT 05401
"Landscape: Great American Lawns." American HomeStyle & Gardening.
April 1995.
"Herbs for Many Gardens: A Practical Guide to Landscaping with Herbs."
Rita Buchanan, Country Living Gardener, Summer 1995.
Eco-lawn article by Janet Macunovich in The Detroit News
"Greener than Grass" Harrowsmith Country Life, Oct. 94
Contact List
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