EMISSION CRITICAL

Seventh annual eco-focused lawn mower recycling program helps eliminate greenhouse gases.
MONTREAL, QC – April 16, 2007 – Each year in Canada, 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas and smog-forming emissions are released by gas-powered lawn equipment. In fact, an inefficient 2-stroke gas mower can emit the same amount of pollution in one hour as driving a new car 550 kilometres. This week, The Home Depot? Canada and the Clean Air FoundationSM launch the seventh annual Mow Down PollutionSM gas lawn mower and trimmer retirement and rebate program. The program gives Canadians the opportunity and incentive to – go green- by helping them recycle older, higher polluting gas lawn mowers and trimmers, resulting in tangible reductions of these deadly and environmentally harmful emissions.

�We are at a critical stage with our environment, as the choices we make today will affect our world for years to come,� said Gino Digioacchino, vice president of Merchandising, The Home Depot Canada. �We’re committed to helping improve the environment by making it easy for Canadians to make cleaner, greener choices with programs like Mow Down Pollution.�
Canadians who bring in their old gas lawn mowers or trimmers to any The Home Depot store across the country between April 19 and April 29, 2007, will receive an instant rebate of up to $100 toward the purchase of a cleaner alternative. In addition, they can be assured the old product will be recycled safely by the Clean Air Foundation.
�Canadians can take a big step toward reducing greenhouse gases and improving local air quality by recycling their old, gas-guzzling mowers and trimmers in favour of cleaner alternatives,� said Stephanie Thorson, executive director of the Clean Air Foundation. �In turn, this action will affect our environment, our health and our overall quality of living.�
According to Health Canada, air pollution is associated with thousands of premature deaths per year in Canada. Also, a direct correlation has been made between air pollution and respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as impacting pre-existing health conditions like diabetes and heart health issues. Since Mow Down Pollution�s inception in 2001, 12,191 gas lawn mowers and trimmers have been returned and permanently recycled � which is equivalent to a reduction of 270 tonnes of harmful emissions.
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Depending on the new product chosen, the instant rebates range from $10 to $100 off the purchase price on mowers and trimmers from Black & Decker�, Gardena�, Neuton�, MTD� products and Great States�. The program also includes rebates and incentives on Eco OptionsSM products that are an environmentally friendly alternative for the outdoors, including natural fertilizers, organic plant food, water conservation tools and solar/motion lighting.
Staff and volunteers from the Clean Air Foundation will be on site at The Home Depot stores on weekends throughout the program to provide customers with information and tips on how to incorporate Eco Options products into their lawn and garden care. At any time throughout the year, The Home Depot associates can help customers make the right choices when it comes to all their home improvement projects, including choosing from the retailer�s wide selection of clean and natural products in lawn and garden care.
About the Clean Air Foundation
The Clean Air Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing, implementing and managing public engagement programs and strategic approaches that lead to measurable emissions reductions, to improve air quality and protect the climate. The Foundation manages six public engagement programs – Car HeavenSM, Mow Down PollutionSM, Keep CoolSM, Energy SmartsSM, Switch Out SM and Cool ShopsSM.
About The Home Depot Canada
Founded in 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer currently operating 2,065 stores, including 155 The Home Depot stores across Canada. The Company reported fiscal 2005 sales of US$81.5 billion and employs approximately 355,000 associates, including more than 27,000 Canadians.
Environmental sustainability is a priority at The Home Depot Canada, and through an active merchandising and marketing strategy, The Home Depot customers are making better choices for their homes and the environment. The Home Depot provides hundreds of products that are the best in class in water and energy efficiency, clean air and sustainable forestry promotion. The Company also provides customers the opportunity to participate in programs that affect their environment, such as Mow Down Pollution and Keep Cool.
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For more information, or to schedule an interview, media should contact:
Tina Peyregatt, The Home Depot, (416) 412-6243;
Tracey Davies, Clean Air Foundation, (647) 224-3151
Emily Bradshaw / Marie-Christine Garon, Massy-Forget Public Relations, (514) 842-2455, ext. 26 / 23