Don't blow it

If you want to be truly green this fall, ditch the leaf blower. The following came today from NewDream.org:

Just because the leaves start losing their green in the fall doesn't mean you have to. When managing fallen leaves this autumn, be a steward of the environment and avoid using a gas powered leaf blower. The Washington Council of Governments reported in 2002 that gas powered lawn and garden equipment emitted 81.6 tons per day of volatile organic compounds and 12.6 tons daily of nitrogen oxides, putting the lawn care industry in second place in the DC region for VOCs and fourth for NOx.  These compounds react with sunlight to

produce ozone. Avoid toxins and get a little exercise instead by recruiting some neighbors for a leaf-raking party. Many cities collect curbside leaves during the fall or you can compost leaves and grass clippings in your own backyard. Dozens of cities nationwide have also opted to ban leaf blower in their communities due to environmental and noise considerations.  To see one example of such an effort, visit the “Green Our City”

campaign page – a citizen-led initiative in New Dream's hometown of Takoma Park to ban leaf blowers.