Outside Steps: Avoid Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Courtesy of www.earthhero.org.

Ease: Medium
Impact Rating (1-5): 1
Influence Beyond You: 2
Types of Impacts: Biodiversity, Money saver, Time Saver, Save Energy, Reduce Plastics, Cultural Shift, Protects Ecosystems, Direct carbon emissions

Does it help with making your community resilient to disasters and emergencies? No

Tags:Community

Money Saved (1-4 $): $

Description: Though gas leaf blowers may seem more efficient than raking, they produce a lot of “hot air”: Air blowing from one end, and heat (and fumes) from the other end. Besides lots of noise, they generate more pollution than cars! (https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/emissions-test-car-vs-truck-vs-leaf-blower.html). They also have been linked to negative health effects to landscapers and communities: https://www.momscleanairforce.org/leaf-blowers-health/.

There are now much more sustainable and reliable alternatives when the trees go bare. Instead of using a leaf blower, you can use a rake and put the leaves in the compost. This will save you money, and is a more sustainable alternative, even if your home is powered cleanly. Still, another alternative remains. You can leave the leaves there! They are a part of the ecosystem, so let them break down over time and contribute more nutrients as they decompose. Native bees often nest in leaves. https://medium.com/gardening-birding-and-outdoor-adventure/bees-need-leaves-2100f31b1e52.

Leaf blowers themselves are relatively expensive, especially compared to rakes, and also are polluting even when they are no longer of use anymore (for whatever reason that may be). They will likely end up in the landfill as they are made of plastic. Just another reason why rakes are a great alternative!

Tips: Looking for replacements for your gas-powered leaf blower? Here are a few options:
– Electric leaf blowers
– Electric leaf vacuum/mulchers
– A rake
– A broom
– Yard sweepers

When shopping for rakes, if you are buying a new one, look for one without plastic that is made of wood or bamboo with a recyclable metal on the end.

A resource on the need to switch from gas to electric or handheld tools can be found at: http://huntingtoncalm.blogspot.com/, a citizen’s group focused on noisy, polluting lawn equipment.

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Image credit: Susan Jones on Unsplash