When it comes to lawn and garden maintenance, sustainable landscaping methods can help reduce the negative environmental and health impacts of using fossil fuel powered equipment and toxic chemicals, specifically:
- Soil contamination from spillage of fuels and other chemicals
- Air pollution resulting from fuel combustion and dispersion of ground sourced materials
- Water contamination from spillage of fuels and other chemicals as well as disposal of organic materials into storm drains, e.g., grass clippings and leaves
- Excess water use
- Greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change
- Degradation of the natural habitats and ecosystems.
There are a variety of ways to be more eco-friendly and more health-friendly.
- “Green” your lawn care.
- Rake leaves, don’t blow them. High velocity air jets, noise, and pollution injure wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems, and damage plants.
- Mulch leaves, don’t remove them. Return needed nutrients into the ground. Don’t deplete your soil – it’s bad for the health of your plants and the soil.
- Conserve water with drought resistant plantings and biochar. It reduces dependence on fertilizers and toxic chemicals. Biochar retains water and sequesters carbon.
- If you have to use power equipment, use electric. It eliminates emissions at point of operation (and totally, if using solar charging). Electric tools are available today that are also 50% quieter than fuel-powered tools.
For Green Newton’s list of lawn care providers with sustainable practices click HERE.
https://www.quietcommunities.org/sustainable-landscaping/
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