[Durham INC] FW: Durham Hosts "Get Your Grass Off Gas" Events April 9 & May 14

Fri Mar 25 16:10:48 EDT 2011

Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:30:37 -0400
From: lists at durhamcountync.gov
To: pats1717 at hotmail.com
Subject: Durham Hosts "Get Your Grass Off Gas" Events April 9 & May 14

          Durham County Government

          Press Release

Durham Hosts "Get Your Grass Off Gas" Events April 9 & May 14  

Two Opportunities to Purchase Deeply-Discounted Electric Equipment
March 25, 2011

Durham, NC -  Durham residents looking to trade in their old gas-guzzling mowers and other yard equipment should mark their calendars now for two events providing steep discounts on cleaner and greener electric versions.

The Durham City-County Sustainability Office is partnering with Black & Decker® to host "Get Your Grass Off Gas," two events that will offer discounted electric yard and garden equipment to help get polluting gasoline-powered equipment "off the grass" and into the recycling bin. Discounts will range from 20 percent to 57 percent off depending on the model.

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents can stop by Northern High School, located at 117 Tom Wilkinson Road, Durham, to recycle their old gas equipment and purchase their new discounted electric equipment. The second lawn equipment trade-in event will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jordan High School, located at 6806 Garrett Road, Durham.

According to Tobin Freid, manager of the Durham City-County Sustainability Office, small engines from gas-powered lawn equipment are actually big polluters of the air. "Most people do not associate air pollution with mowing the lawn, yet emissions from gasoline-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws, and similar outdoor power equipment are a significant source of pollution," Freid said. "The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that using a standard gas-powered lawn mower for one hour produces as much smog-forming pollution as driving an average car almost 200 miles."

New manufacturing rules will begin to address such pollution sources in 2011 and 2012 models. However, small engines in use now in just about every yard in Durham emit high levels of carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. "Not only do these small engines emit this toxic gas, they also emit tiny particles that cause lung and heart problems, as well as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone and smog," Freid said. "Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that irritates lungs and can affect breathing. Gas-powered yard equipment users inadvertently contribute to the problem by carelessly handling fuel and by not maintaining their equipment properly."

Residents who want to make a difference in Durham's air quality and take advantage of these opportunities to purchase cleaner equipment should visit www.GreenerDurham.net for more information or to pre-register to reserve specific electric equipment. Pre-registration is not required, however event organizers cannot guarantee a particular model will be available on either day without pre-registration. All gas-powered equipment brought in to recycle at either event must be drained of fluids before being dropped off. For information on proper fluids disposal, visit the City's website at www.DurhamNC.gov/departments/solid/wr_transfer.cfm.

At the April 9th event, the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District will have rain barrels, composters, and birdhouses available onsite for purchase with cash or check. Pre-registration is recommended to ensure these items will be available. To pre-register, visit www.DurhamCountyNC.gov/departments/swcd or call (919)560-0558. 

For more information about either of these trade-in events, contact Freid at (919) 560-7999 or by e-mail at TFreid at DurhamCountyNC.gov or Melissa McCullough by e-mail at MMcCullough at DurhamCountyNC.gov. 

Residents may also learn more by visiting the Durham City-County Sustainability Office's Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/GreenerDurham.net. 

For more information about Black & Decker, visit www.BlackandDecker.com. 

###

About Durham County Government
An official news release has just been issued by Durham County.
You may access the news release at the link below:
http://www.durhamcountync.gov/news/

Please contact the Public Information Office at (919) 560-0000 or email public_information at durhamcountync.gov for information related to news releases.

Durham County Government
Deborah Craig-Ray

Assistant County Manager
(919) 560-0000
County Manager's Office
200 East Main Street
Durham, NC 27701

Durham County Government

Dawn Dudley 

Public Information Specialist
(919) 560-0008
County Manager's Office
200 East Main Street
Durham, NC 27701

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Durham County Government | 200 East Main Street | Durham | NC | 27701

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