TRENTON, N.J. — The noise of the leaf blower has become a part of everyday life in communities across America, prompting towns and states to ban or limit gas-powered blowers.
However, these measures are facing opposition from the landscaping industry and some property owners who argue that the battery-powered blowers preferred by the legislation are more expensive and not as effective as gasoline-powered ones.
“Considering the noise and pollution levels of these machines, it’s not acceptable in our living spaces where our children play,” said Jessica Stolzberg, an advocate against gas-powered leaf blowers who played a role in getting a ban enacted in Montclair, New Jersey.
Since the ban took effect in October, Stolzberg stated that “Montclair has become a healthier, cleaner, quieter community.”
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Challenges to the ban in court by landscapers have been reported, she added.
Similar to the resistance faced in transitioning away from fossil fuels for transportation and homes, the move towards battery-powered leaf blowers is being met with industry complaints regarding increased costs and decreased performance under new regulations.
While some communities have already implemented bans on gas-powered leaf blowers, New Jersey is considering a statewide ban. A bill that would ban such blowers for most of the year but allow four-stroke combustion engine blowers during peak cleanup periods has been advanced by a state Senate committee.
The industry considers this a compromise in order to still have access to powerful gas-powered blowers when needed.
“New Jersey deals with a significant amount of leaves and debris to clean up,” said Rich Goldstein, president of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. “We are not California or Florida. We have leaves.”
Gas-powered blowers are being targeted by governments nationwide, with bans already in place in various cities including California, Washington, D.C., Portland, and others.
Doug O’Malley of Environment New Jersey highlighted over 100 U.S. cities that have restricted gas-powered leaf blowers due to their pollution levels, equating an hour of leaf blower use to driving a car for 1,100 miles.
However, the industry is pushing back against the switch to battery-powered blowers, citing concerns over costs, performance, and the functionality of two-stroke engines for certain tasks.
Mayor Nancy Adams mentioned that Maplewood, New Jersey, banned gas-powered blowers in January 2023, emphasizing the town’s commitment to combating climate change.
Several landscaping companies support a gradual transition to battery power but are seeking more time for implementation to allow for advancements in battery-powered technology.
