Practice Sustainable Landscaping at Home

To help reduce noise and air pollution generated by gas-powered landscaping equipment, the Village wants to support you in implementing sustainable landscaping practices at home.

Benefits of electric lawn equipment

Say goodbye to the pull cord workout and last-minute trips to the gas station. Mowers and other electric lawn equipment start with the push of a button. Other benefits include:

• Improved air quality

• Quieter operation

• Environmentally friendly

• Convenient

• Low maintenance – no more oil changes or filter replacements

• Improved battery technology

Other ways to make your landscaping more sustainable

• Mow to 4 inches to reduce watering needs and weed growth. Cut the grass when it reaches about 5 inches; anything taller can clog your mower.

• Don’t mow when it’s hot and dry, when grass isn’t growing. Instead, compost, edge, weed, or just take a break for the week.

Skokie Public Works transitioned to electric lawn equipment in 2023

• Mulch grass and keep the clippings on the lawn – they make excellent fertilizer. (Lawn clippings are not accepted in Skokie’s yard waste program.)

• Bee friendly – convert some lawn into native plants. Start with corners or other hard-tomow areas.

• Don’t idle equipment.

Talk to your landscaper

Have a conversation with your landscaper about implementing these actions and the possibility of using alternatives to gas-powered equipment.

Some larger companies offer service with electric equipment and some even utilize noise-free robotic mowers. However, smaller companies may face challenges with transitioning to electric equipment due to high upfront costs and lack of charging infrastructure, as many operate out of trailers rather than facilities.