VANCOUVER, B.C. – On Monday, January 28, 2019, Green Party Commissioner Dave Demers will introduce a motion asking staff to develop a transition plan for landscape equipment used in Vancouver Parks with the aim of replacing gas-powered machines with emission-free alternatives.

“Gas-powered outdoor equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers are some of the worst polluters out there,” said Demers.

“When you look at the numbers it’s actually quite astonishing; according to a recent study done by the California Environmental Protection Agency, just one leaf blower emits as much pollution in an hour as a Toyota Camry travelling over 1700 kilometres!

“The pollution is terrible for our environment but also poses serious health risks to our park staff. It’s completely unnecessary and Vancouver deserves better; battery-powered equipment is easier to use, creates less noise, with no emission of any kind, and costs significantly less to run and maintain than conventional gas-powered machines. The purchase costs are a little higher but the savings in gas will significantly outweigh the upfront costs.”

Demers is also in talks with his Green colleagues on the Vancouver School Board to look at making a similar transition for equipment used on school grounds.

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More Information:
Motion: Renewal Strategy for Landscape Equipment - Towards an Emission-Free Reality

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