Second Annual Lawn Mower Exchange, April 19
Contributed by Richland County

In an effort to promote cleaner air in the Midlands, Richland County, Lexington County, the City of Columbia, SC DHEC, and Keep the Midlands Beautiful have teamed up to host the second annual Central Midlands Lawn Mower Exchange on Saturday, April 19 from 9 am to noon at the South Carolina State Museum.

Residents of Richland and Lexington Counties are invited to "Mow Down Pollution" by trading in their gasoline- powered lawn mowers in exchange for a deep discount on the purchase of an environmentally friendly, cordless electric mower.

The electric mower normally retails for $399, but through the 2008 Central Midlands Lawn Mower Exchange, the first 125 residents to trade in their gasoline- powered mowers on the day of the event will be able to purchase an electric mower for just $199 (plus tax).

Lawn and garden equipment is the leading source of off- road air pollution in the United States. Over 150 lawn mowers were exchanged during the 2007 event, resulting in emission reductions of seven tons per year for carbon, and 14 tons per year for volatile organic compounds (a precursor to ozone).

For more information, contact Synithia Williams (Lexington County) at 785- 8634, or visit www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful. org.