Electric lawn care is a hit at the Tampa Bay GreenFest

Environment Florida spent the weekend talking to people about the shockingly high amounts of pollution that gas-powered lawn equipment makes, and demonstrating how to use some easy electric alternatives. The booth at the Tampa Bay Flower Show and GreenFest stayed busy. Some people wanted to try the equipment out, but many just wanted to share how much they loved their own electric equipment.

“I love my electric leaf blower,” a man shouted out to us, “it actually makes me want to clean!”

Another woman looked ill when we shared that using a leaf blower for an hour produces as much pollution as driving 15 cars around your neighborhood.

One man looked at the map of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) displayed on the table and said, “That’s it, you sold me on electric.”

The map is part of several United States maps available in our Lawn Care Goes Electric report. The report reveals that Florida is a national leader in pollution produced from gas-powered lawn equipment, and on the map the state glows bright red to show the concentration of PM2.5 here.

Environment Florida Advocate Mia McCormick appeared on The Weather Channel twice Saturday morning from the event. The television anchors asked questions about the health risks involved with using gas-powered equipment. They also wanted to know how electric alternatives measured up when came to performance.