Leave the leaves, and other things you can do to prevent leaf blower pollution

Managing Leaves on the Lawn

One thing you can do, which is a step more beneficial for the environment, is to ‘leave the leaves’ and help replenish the natural ecosystem. Encouraging a garden of native plants & natural features such as fallen leaves & dry stems supports insects & birds at all their life stages.

Leaves left on the ground attract more insects which in turn attract more birds looking for insects. Clearing the fallen leaves sweeps away prime habitat for a lot of creatures and also disrupts the environment for critical pollinating species such as bees, butterflies and moths, as well as other critters including amphibians and small mammals like chipmunks. 

Change your lawn care

Fortunately, there’s a better way to maintain a tidy lawn. Electric lawn equipment, such as electric leaf blowers and mowers, emits zero planet-warming emissions. Transitioning to quieter, electric lawn care tools is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. They not only help in reducing noise pollution but also contribute to cleaner air, reducing the harmful and toxic emissions associated with the two-stroke, gas-powered leaf blower. Due to improved technology, their costs have come down and the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers are phasing out. Over time, lower fuel and maintenance costs are less when you go electric. It’s a win-win for both homeowners and the landscape industry.

Incorporating native plants into landscaping is a sustainable choice that offers numerous benefits. You can minimize the size of your lawn by planting garden beds with native plants. Choosing native plants for landscaping reduces the need for extensive lawn areas. Native plants adapt to local conditions, require less pampering, support local wildlife, and minimize the need for frequent watering, mowing and leaf blowing.

Other actions

• Educate your neighbours and building management about the harm caused by gas-leaf blowers when used for routine landscaping maintenance.

• Tell your city councillor you want the use of gas- powered leaf blowers banned.

• Join Gasbusters in our campaign to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and related garden equipment in 2024 and we’ll keep you informed of the latest developments and how to make your opinion heard.