A new group, Quiet Yards Greenwich, formed with the goal of finding a better balance between the needs of landscapers and the concerns of homeowners about the impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers on health, the environment and quality of life.
The group has created a survey that aims to educate residents on the impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers and determine whether they would support limits on their use.
The gas-powered leaf blower survey from Quiet Yards Greenwich can be accessed here:
https://forms.gle/1QKcZiVTWirzrRo76
Information from Quiet Yards Greenwich:
Gas-powered leaf blowers exceed noise levels of 100 db that penetrate walls, windows, and property lines. They cause irreversible hearing loss and are deemed unsafe by major health organizations. They disrupt residents’ ability to enjoy their own homes.
Gas-powered leaf blowers emit more greenhouse gases in 30 minutes than a pickup truck driving 3900 miles, and produce smog and ozone pollution.
Further, they discharge toxic raw exhaust and blow carcinogenic particulates into the air that linger for hours and are inhaled by landscape workers, children and residents.
Also, gas-powered leaf blowers destroy the natural layer of leaf litter that protects and nourishes plants and wildlife, including hibernating pollinators.
Tips from Quiet Yards Greenwich
Ask your gardener to mulch mow leaves by running a mower over them and leave them in place to fertilize your topsoil. Use excess mulched leaves to start a compost pile, mulch garden beds and shrubs, or rake them into the woods If you must blow, ask your landscaper to switch to electric leaf blowers and limit them to hard-scapes.
Switch to an electric leaf blower, which is cleaner, quieter, and offers an efficient alternative to a gas leaf blower.
Quiet Yards Greenwich asks residents to contact local elected representatives and ask for restrictions on gas powered leaf blowers.
States and towns nationwide are transitioning from gas leaf blowers to electric for health and environmental reasons, including 23 Westchester towns and over 200 municipalities nationwide. The state of California has imposed restrictions on gas leaf blowers.
Quiet Yards Greenwich can be contacted at [email protected]