YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS! PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION

We are petitioning the Township Committee to phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in our community over the next two years to protect the health of workers and residents, our environment, and our quality of life. 

Maplewood prides itself on being a sustainable, livable community, yet we continue to allow the use of this harmful equipment in our neighborhoods. There’s no better time for our town to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers and continue to be a leader in sustainability.   

Gas-powered leaf blowers produce hazardous levels of noise and pollutants. There are environment- and neighborhood-friendly alternatives.

We can do better — for our health and the health of our environment.

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Learn More:

In 2017, Maplewood banned gas-powered leaf blowers during the summer months. Other Northeast municipalities have since gone even further. A complete ban is currently in effect in Larchmont, NY. In the District of Columbia, no one may sell or use a gas-powered leaf blower as of Jan. 1, 2022. Gas leaf blowers have been banned in 20 California cities and, starting in 2024, the sale of gas leaf blowers will be illegal in the state of California.

On May 4, 2021, Maplewood's Environmental Advisory Committee proposed a two-year phase-out of gas leaf blowers (video time stamp 10:00). The proposal was endorsed by SOMA Action and the Green Team. Two physicians, Dr. Rossen-Nesson, an audiologist, and Dr. Strelnick, a professor of epidemiology, spoke on the health risks that gas leaf blowers pose to workers and residents. Dan Delventhal, CEO of MowGreen, a gas-free lawn-care company in Bridgeport, CT, described how advancements in electric blowers have made them more than adequate for the job. All three urged the Township Committee to limit the use of gas leaf blowers in Maplewood. 

Impact on Lawn-Care Companies:

Quiet Clean D.C. has a comprehensive Facts, Myths, and FAQs page that addresses common misconceptions about a year-round ban, including concerns about the impact on landscaping companies. 

Myth: Banning gas-powered leaf blowers will impose a serious financial burden on lawn-care companies.

a. The allowed phase-out [over two years, as proposed by Maplewood's Environmental Advisory Committee] gives companies time to adjust practices and replace old gas-powered blowers with battery-powered blowers, since gas-powered blowers wear out quickly. [Transcript (Small) p. 28; Transcript (Kline) p. 7]

b. Most of the lawn care companies operating in Maplewood service other towns.  They will not have to switch their entire inventory of blowers in order to serve Maplewood.

c. Battery-powered blowers are cheaper to run and maintain than gas-powered blowers over time. [Transcript (Kline) p. 7]

d. More manufacturers are introducing battery-powered blowers as alternatives and prices are coming down. [Transcript (Kline) p. 7; Fallows p. 5-6]

e. Two all-electric lawn-care companies, Green Wheels and New Generation, currently service Maplewood, demonstrating that companies can use not only electric leaf blowers, but all-electric equipment and satisfy customers at a competitive price.

If Washington, D.C., and Larchmont, NY, can do it in the Northeast, Maplewood can, too!