| June 27, 2007 WHAT:
Professional gardeners can help reduce air pollution by participating in
this year’s leaf blower exchange program sponsored by the South Coast Air
Quality Management District (AQMD). For the second year in a row, more than
1,500 old, highly polluting backpack leaf blowers will be exchanged for
emissions-friendly, quieter models manufactured by STIHL. The program will
help protect residents’ and gardeners’ health by reducing harmful emissions.
AQMD will offer a monetary incentive for every leaf blower exchanged,
allowing gardeners to purchase a new, low-polluting blower valued at $470
for just $200
WHEN/WHERE:
Tuesday, July 17
Mason's Saw & Lawnmower
1724 Container Circle, Riverside
Wednesday, July 18
Chino Mower & Engine Service
13546 Central Ave., Suite A, Chino
Thursday, July 19
Temple City Lawnmower
9654 Lower Azusa Rd., Temple City
Tuesday, July 24
B&M Lawn & Garden
17672 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda
Wednesday, July 25
Greenland Supply, Inc.
826 S. La Brea Ave., Inglewood
Thursday, July 26
Simon's Power Equipment
12117 Vanowen St., North Hollywood
WHY:
In one year, the average blower emits as much pollution as 80 new cars, each
driven 12,500 miles. In contrast, the STIHL models are nearly four
times cleaner than the California Air Resources Board's standard for new
blowers. Exchanging 1,500 older blowers will reduce nearly 14 tons of
smog-forming pollution a year.
REGISTER:
To quality for the leaf blower exchange, participants must pre-register
by calling (888) 425-6247. The program is open to professional
gardeners and landscapers who live and work in AQMD's four-county
jurisdiction. Each gardening and landscaping business may exchange up
to 10 blowers. Cash, checks or major credit cards will be accepted.
AQMD's leaf blower exchange program is modeled on the
agency's highly successful residential lawn mower exchange program.
Since 2003, AQMD has exchanged more than 16,000 highly polluting gas-powered
mowers for zero-emitting electric models. AQMD is the air pollution
control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San
Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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