Rochester Institute of Technology
IN-26: Innovation C

The housing grounds department purchased two Mean Green mowers in the fall of 2017, a switch from gas to electric. They also have switched to electric trimmers. Benefits to the operation include: • Low Noise – most gas powered mowers run at 95 to 100 decibels, our new equipment runs at 80! • Zero Emissions – according to the EPA each horse power from a lawnmower equals 3.67 cars at 55mph emissions. Our previous mowers were equal to 88 cars at 55mph or 4,840 car miles per hour! • Zero Gas – Mean Green boasts 90% efficiency compared to gas at about 5% of the cost of gas. We expect to save around $6.00 per hour of use! • Low Maintenance – with no spark plugs or carburetors to clean, no engine oil or filters to replace, no belts, no pulleys and no hydraulics our maintenance costs will drop dramatically! For off campus locations, the department employs a company called Carbon Cutters (http://organiclawncarerochester.com/), which uses all electric equipment that is charged using solar power.