Farewell My Lawnmower

This morning, I said goodbye to my little red gas lawnmower…and hello to a shiny new electric one.

After chugging along faithfully for close to 14 years, my little pollutant-emitter became one of thousands that will be turned in today in SMUD’s big promo to exchange gas mowers for the more eco-friendly electrics. It was actually a little sad to see my old red mower carted off to be recycled…I started having doubts almost as soon I signed up for the exchange a couple of weeks ago. I mean, the mower had worked well for more than a decade and had never given me an ounce of trouble. Although it was certainly getting long in the tooth (blade?), it still had a few good years left in it.

So, even last night, I was doubting my decision to trade it in–and cough up $189 for the electric. But when this morning came, I did it. Probably with some excessive anthropomorphizing, but I did it.

I arrived at the Sac State parking lot about 8 a.m. and lined up with hundreds of other cars. I have to give kudos to the organizations operating the exchange: It was phenomenally well organized, and every single person I interacted with was efficient and friendly.

First, I pulled up to a woman who took the release form (probably designed for people like me with last-minute doubts–it states firmly that you can’t have your old lawnmower back). Then I pulled up to another station, where they quickly unloaded the lawnmower. Next, I was directed to another section of the lot, where I paid for the new lawnmower. Finally, I pulled up to the last stop, where my new Neuton (www.neutonpower.com) was loaded.

The whole process was speedy…and customers never even set foot out of their cars. A good setup–and one that is designed to get thousands through the process in just a few hours.

I can’t wait to try out the new mower, and I am just hoping it has most of the oomph of the old gas mower. Even if it doesn’t, at least I won’t be lugging my gas can to the station this summer–or running out of gas in the middle of the lawn. I’m also wondering if the battery will actually have enough power to do a mow of the whole lawn, but even if it doesn’t I figure I can just do it in sections.

However it goes, I’m looking forward to a quieter mower and the good karma of reducing pollution.