Articles
Green groundwork: navigating policy dynamics, landscape maintenance transitions, and research horizons
Article number
1429_50
Pages
411 – 422
Language
English
Abstract
The modern landscape industry stands at a crossroads, balancing reliability and efficiency with an ever-growing need for sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
In the USA, over 200 municipalities spanning 15 states have implemented diverse bans on gas-powered landscape equipment.
These regulations are driving a significant shift toward the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives in landscape maintenance practices.
To gain insights into the perceptions, benefits, and challenges of adopting battery-powered outdoor power equipment, a survey was conducted among landscape maintenance operators in the USA. Professional landscape companies prioritize operational efficiency factors such as reliability, work capacity, and equipment availability over environmental considerations like air pollution and noise pollution, which are emphasized in recent legislation.
Among survey participants, 52% have integrated battery-powered equipment into their operations, driven primarily by concerns about noise pollution and air pollution. In contrast, competitive advantage and cost were the least motivating factors, highlighting economic barriers to adoption.
Addressing concerns about the work capacity, power, and quality of battery-powered equipment is critical, as 70% of traditional gas-powered equipment users indicated willingness to adopt battery-powered alternatives if these issues are resolved.
Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term costs and benefits of battery- and gas-powered equipment to address knowledge gaps and support informed decision-making.
In the USA, over 200 municipalities spanning 15 states have implemented diverse bans on gas-powered landscape equipment.
These regulations are driving a significant shift toward the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives in landscape maintenance practices.
To gain insights into the perceptions, benefits, and challenges of adopting battery-powered outdoor power equipment, a survey was conducted among landscape maintenance operators in the USA. Professional landscape companies prioritize operational efficiency factors such as reliability, work capacity, and equipment availability over environmental considerations like air pollution and noise pollution, which are emphasized in recent legislation.
Among survey participants, 52% have integrated battery-powered equipment into their operations, driven primarily by concerns about noise pollution and air pollution. In contrast, competitive advantage and cost were the least motivating factors, highlighting economic barriers to adoption.
Addressing concerns about the work capacity, power, and quality of battery-powered equipment is critical, as 70% of traditional gas-powered equipment users indicated willingness to adopt battery-powered alternatives if these issues are resolved.
Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term costs and benefits of battery- and gas-powered equipment to address knowledge gaps and support informed decision-making.
Authors
P.C. Bartley, K. Kent, M. Hoffman
Keywords
outdoor power equipment, battery, gas, green industry, mowing, pruning
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