When can I bring in my old gas lawnmower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer or chainsaw?

• You can only bring in your gas-powered lawn and garden equipment on the days the Mow Down Pollution program runs. It’s coming soon, so please watch this website this spring to find out more.

Can I bring in my old electric mower?

• No, Mow Down Pollution only accepts gas-powered lawnmowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws.

Does it matter what kind of condition my old gas equipment is in?

• Both working and non-working gas-powered lawn and garden equipment is eligible for Mow Down Pollution. The only condition is that they have to have an engine and, if possible, have the fluids removed in advance.

What happens with the old gas-powered equipment that I bring in?

• The units are picked up at The Home Depot by a licensed recycler who then drains any gas/oil remaining in the mowers and disposes of it properly. The handles and wheels are removed and recycled where possible and then the unit is taken apart to recycle the steel and aluminum casting.

Do I have to purchase a product when I bring in my old gas one for recycling?

• Summerhill Impact does not require you to purchase a new product – we will recycle your old gas-powered equipment free of charge. However, the Mow Down Pollution rebates can only be used to purchase selected new, environmentally preferable products while the program is running.

How should I take care of my lawn so that it is healthy and ‘green’?

• Keep your grass about 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) high to protect the roots from drying out.
• Mow only when your grass is dry but never mow during a drought.
• Prevent rapid growth with proper watering. Soak the lawn with 2-5 cm (1 inch) of water every 5-7 days or less often depending on rainfall.
• Use organic fertilizer and a springtime application of compost to improve the health of your soil.
• Mow regularly but remove only the top 1/3 of the grass blade. If your grass gets too long, adjust your mower blade and cut to the correct height gradually with several mowings.
• It is best not to mow your lawn with a gas mower on hot summer days, especially when there is a Smog Alert in effect.

What are mulching mowers? Why should I think about buying one?

• When looking at a mulching mower, you may come across the terms “dedicated mulcher,” “mulcher/bagger,” or “mulching optional.”
  • Dedicated mulchers have been specially designed to chop the grass finely as they cut so that clippings fall quickly to the lawn.
  • Mulcher/baggers are mowers that have been designed to either mulch (as above) or bag the clippings.
  • Mulching optional mowers are designed as a bagging mower but can easily be converted to a mulcher with a converter kit.
• HEALTHIER LAWN & SOIL – The nitrogen in the grass clippings can replace up to a third of your fertilizer needs because you will be feeding your lawn as you mow. The clippings act as a mulch, promoting growth of a deeper root system that helps grass resist disease, drought, and pests.
• AVE TIME & MONEY – Without the chore of bagging grass, you can save an average of 20 minutes per mowing. Because your lawn will be healthier, you will also spend less time on lawn care and less money on water, fertilizer, and chemicals.
• LESS WASTE – Grass makes up half our yard waste and the cost of dealing with it represents a portion of your municipal taxes. Many municipalities are implementing grass-garbage bans so if you start ‘grasscycling’ now, you will be ready when it happens.

What does ‘grasscycling’ mean?

• Grasscycling is your way to a healthy lawn! Too many of us over-water and over-fertilize our grass in an attempt to make it grow better and faster. Then we mow it, bag it, and put it at the curb for collection. This doesn’t make sense environmentally or economically. But there is an alternative…
• Grasscycling, or mulch-mowing, involves recycling grass clippings by leaving them on the lawn. It saves you time and effort and makes your lawn healthier by feeding the soil. Many, if not all, of the new mowers offered for discounted purchase through Mow Down Pollution have mulching capability.

Aren’t mulching mowers messy? Won’t I get thatch?

• Mulching should not be messy. If you have clumps of grass clippings on your lawn, it means that the grass was damp when it was cut or that it was allowed to grow too long between mowings.
• Thatch and clippings are not related at all. Clippings decay quickly, releasing nutrients and moisture back into the lawn. Thatch is a layer of dead plant tissue that builds up between the soil surface and the growing grass. It results from rapid growth caused by improper fertilizing and watering.

If I buy a mulching mower, will I have to collect clippings?

• It’s a good idea to collect clippings after your first spring mowing to help the grass ‘green-up’ faster and also after your last fall mowing to reduce the chance of over-wintering disease.

What should I use the grass clippings for?

• You can use the collected clippings as ‘greens’ in your composter during the spring and fall.
• Clippings are rich in nitrogen – just layer them with leaves, kitchen scraps, and soil for a rich garden compost.
• You can also use clippings as a mulch or soil enrichment. As long as the grass has not gone to seed, use it around plants and shrubs to retain moisture and choke out weeds. Or use it as a ‘green manure’ dug into the garden in the fall.

Note: Special thanks to ecoSource Mississauga for permission to adapt portions of their grasscycling ecologic tip sheet for use on our website.