CLEVELAND — Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren announced on Tuesday the return and expansion of a city-wide lawnmower exchange program aimed at reducing pollution and improving air quality.
Announced on World Asthma Day during Air Quality Awareness Week, the lawnmower exchange program will increase its participant pool from 60 to 90 for its second year.
“In addition to being a driver of climate change, air pollution is a serious threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable groups like seniors, children, and people with pulmonary issues like asthma,” Mayor Seren said. “This year, our lawnmower exchange program will help Cleveland Heights become a more lung-friendly city by taking an additional 90 gas-powered mowers out of our neighborhoods and encouraging other residents to follow suit.”
Mayor Seren's office said in a news release that the city increased the number of lawnmower replacements after the exchange drew "strong interest" from residents in its first attempt last year.
Cleveland Heights residents can apply online for the lawnmower exchange program from now through May 21. Ninety residents will be randomly selected from the pool of applicants.
The program is funded by a grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council with no out-of-pocket costs for residents. The city will not require a rebate or proof of purchase and will handle the demolition of the gas mowers.
MetroHealth reported 511 children in Cleveland Heights were diagnosed with asthma at clinical visits in 2023. The American Lung Association gave Cuyahoga County a "Fail" grade for annual particle pollution in its 2024 State of the Air report.
According to Cleveland Heights, gas mowing produces 5% of the country's annual pollution and releases PM2.5, a type of particulate matter that can attack the lungs and increase risk of asthma.