Leaf blowers have become a contentious issue in many communities, because of the air and noise pollution they cause. A number of cities, including Santa Barbara, CA, and Aspen, CO, have actually banned gasoline-powered leaf blowers altogether.
Like lawnmowers, most gasoline-powered leaf blowers run on a lightweight, compact two-stroke engine. During operation, about 30% of the fuel the engine uses fails to undergo complete combustion. As a result, the engine emits relatively large quantities of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. This Washington Post article from 2013 explains the problem in greater detail.*
AARP recommends raking leaves as a way to keep fit and burn calories while enjoying the outdoors.** Consumer Reports has tested the efficacy of leaf blowers compared with raking and recommends an ergonomic rake for getting the job done, avoiding injury, and protecting the environment.***
According to Treehugger.com, more and more gardeners are wondering whether it’s even necessary to remove leaves from the garden and lawn. A mower can turn fallen leaves into valuable mulch, but its gasoline-powered engine may be just as polluting as the leaf blower’s. Raking leaves and adding them to your compost bin, or simply raking them into garden beds, is probably the most environmentally-friendly option of all.
Sources:
*Brian Palmer, September 16, 2013, "How bad for the environment are gas-powered leaf blowers?" www.washingtonpost.com
**"Raking Leaves," April, 2010, www.aarp.org
***Daniel DiClerico, September 15, 2011, "Should you buy a leaf blower or a rake?" www.consumerreports.org
****Derek Markham, October 22, 2020, "Skip the rake and leave the leaves for a healthier, greener yard." www.treehugger.com
Photo by Shelton Dunning, Flickr
Like lawnmowers, most gasoline-powered leaf blowers run on a lightweight, compact two-stroke engine. During operation, about 30% of the fuel the engine uses fails to undergo complete combustion. As a result, the engine emits relatively large quantities of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. This Washington Post article from 2013 explains the problem in greater detail.*
AARP recommends raking leaves as a way to keep fit and burn calories while enjoying the outdoors.** Consumer Reports has tested the efficacy of leaf blowers compared with raking and recommends an ergonomic rake for getting the job done, avoiding injury, and protecting the environment.***
According to Treehugger.com, more and more gardeners are wondering whether it’s even necessary to remove leaves from the garden and lawn. A mower can turn fallen leaves into valuable mulch, but its gasoline-powered engine may be just as polluting as the leaf blower’s. Raking leaves and adding them to your compost bin, or simply raking them into garden beds, is probably the most environmentally-friendly option of all.
Sources:
*Brian Palmer, September 16, 2013, "How bad for the environment are gas-powered leaf blowers?" www.washingtonpost.com
**"Raking Leaves," April, 2010, www.aarp.org
***Daniel DiClerico, September 15, 2011, "Should you buy a leaf blower or a rake?" www.consumerreports.org
****Derek Markham, October 22, 2020, "Skip the rake and leave the leaves for a healthier, greener yard." www.treehugger.com
Photo by Shelton Dunning, Flickr
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