BioGardener—Wins City of Austin Contract and Reduces Air Emissions

BIOGARDENER AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S 'CLIMATE PROTECTION PLAN By using and promoting the use of cleaner burning equipment and sustainable landscape management, BioGardener proves that small improvements to traditional and dated methods equals major reductions in pollution. As on of the largest landscape contractors for the City of Austin, BioGardener is leading by example on how our industry can help the City achieve the ambitious goals of reducing and eliminating all carbon emissions produced by the City by 2020. Below is an article detailing the award of our first municipal contract:

March 28, 2005 BioGardener, an Austin-based landscaping company, has won the first contract of its kind for landscaping firms who work for the City of Austin. On January 15, 2004, the Austin City Council passed Resolution 040115-31, which requires that all City departments identify areas in which additional air emissions reductions might be achieved. The Purchasing Office, in an attempt to comply with the resolution, identified landscaping contractors as a source for potential reduction. In February 2005, the City held a mandatory pre-bid meeting for firms interested in bidding on a specific landscape maintenance solicitation for several City of Austin facilities. The meeting instructed the bidders that their submissions would be divided into two categories: one for bids that utilize equipment powered by alternative fuels, electricity, or manual power; one for bids that use all conventional equipment. This was received with loud grumblings from most of the contractors present, who complained that very few such commercial equipment is available, and that residential equipment would wear down too quickly to be cost-feasible. BioGardener, however, was thrilled. Currently available low/no emission commercial equipment is very limited in number and very high in price, roughly three times the cost of conventional equipment. Further, the only alternative is residential equipment, which does not withstand the daily beating that commercial use demands of it. However, Austin's air problems are only getting worse, as we hover at pollution levels close to EPA non-attainment standards. Something needs to be done. Lawn maintenance equipment emissions account for approximately 5% of the pollutants found in air. Decreasing their use or using alternative-fueled equipment can create significant improvements to regional air quality and lessen the market's need for conventional fuels.		Environmentally-conscious homeowners have already convinced the Black and Deckers of the industry to offer and sell electric mowers. The technology exists, the infrastructure is there, the only thing holding back manufacturers is classic demand for a low emission commercial product. The City of Austin is helping create this demand. So when BioGardener bid on this contract, they didn't bid to win...they bid to show the city that they support their efforts. And even if that means 1) exploring the use of alternatively fueled equipment in ways that no other companies have done, ever; 2) buying several residential electric blowers and push mowers to use for city properties; and 3) constantly nagging their equipment suppliers and vendors for a better alternative, THEY WERE ALL FOR IT! BioGardener hopes to make a difference. They hope to convince the City that reduced emission landscape maintenance bids can work in favor of the City without compromising the ultimate product. It is BioGardener's goal to hold every other company in town accountable for their actions, and force them to use their weight to convince the industry that improvements can and need to be made to how the industry does business. Together, landscaping companies in Austin can make a dramatic improvement in local air quality, and help Austin maintain its high quality of life. Click here to CONTACT US! Close window.