Memorial Day Weekend, long considered the traditional start of summer, brings everyone outdoors into the fresh air for family barbeques and parties.
Sometimes, though, the air isn’t so fresh if you’re using gas-powered lawnmowers, leaf blowers or hedge trimmers that spew smelly exhaust fumes. If you want to keep your backyard looking great, why not replace polluting, gas-powered tools with efficient, zero-emission tools? Vouchers from Pima County can help with the expense.
“Tucsonans love the outdoors and we can help keep our air clean by replacing gas-powered lawn and garden tools,” says Ursula Nelson, director of the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality. “It’s especially important to reduce pollution levels, which tend to be higher in the heat of summer.”
Just in time for summer, the Pima County Cut Down Pollution Lawn and Garden Equipment Replacement program is ready to assist. When you turn in your working, gasoline-powered devices, you can receive up to $400 in vouchers toward the purchase of zero-emission lawn and garden equipment.
Why make the switch? You can:
- Save money on newer, more efficient devices.
- Keep the peace while operating equipment that is quieter.
- Protect operator health and hearing without fumes or high-decibel noise.
- Eliminate the hassle of obtaining, storing and using gasoline.
- Have healthier air to breathe with reduced emissions from gasoline equipment.
- Reduce the risk of Pima County's air violating national health standards for ground-level ozone pollution.
- Reduce your carbon footprint.
Since the program began in 2020 over 500 Pima County residents have received vouchers. To apply for your voucher, go to the customer portal page, then click on Create an Application under the Environmental Quality section.
Take advantage of these vouchers and clean the air in your own backyard.