Instead of using gas-powered leaf blowers, use electric or a rake.

The gentle falling of leaves that comes with the arrival autumn is accompanied by the loud droning of leaf blowers.  The high-decible noise from these machines raises the question of whether they are necessary.  While they are a helpful tool for piling the leaves in our tree-rich neighborhoods, they have downsides as well.  According to an EPA study, the inefficient two-stroke motor of gas-powered leaf blowers emit particulates and pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.  The practice of blowing leaves out of landscaping is detrimental to plant beds: the high-force winds produced by leaf blowers scour plants, compact the soil, and blow away nutrients with the topsoil.  A study in the Environmental and Toxicology Studies Journal found that the low-frequency/high decibel sounds emitted by gas-powered leaf blowers travel long distances and through walls.  These impacts are detrimental to health of both humans and wildlife.  

Alternatives to gas-powered leaf blowers include using different tools or adopting a different approach to leaves.  Use a rake on the lawn and a broom to clear the sidewalk or driveway.  Electric blowers have no direct emissions and produce less noise.  We can also question the value of applying a standard of “neatness” in the outdoors that can only be achieved by using these machines.  In some areas of the yard, leaves don’t need to be removed at all: soil in plant beds is protected by leaf litter and gets nutrients as the leaves break down.  Instead of blowing leaves away, consider gently raking the leaves from your lawn into your landscaping.