Landscape Ontario’s position on the proper use of leaf blowers

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association has developed a
self-regulation and education strategy for dealing with the Leaf Blower Issue.



We firmly believe that most complaints about leaf blower noise could be dealt with
in a satisfactory manner through communication and education.



The following is a report on the actions we have taken and continue to take to help
solve the problem.


  1. We have printed and will continue to print educational articles on using leaf blowers in a sensitive and professional manner.
  2. We have distributed a “Be Smart” brochure to all of our member companies.
  3. We have negotiated with the manufacturers to make muffler replacement parts available at cost to encourage proper maintenance of equipment.
  4. The issue has been a discussion topic at our monthly chapter meetings.
  5. We have developed and distributed a poster and brochure to all industry members.
  6. We have developed a certification module dealing with Leaf Blower use.
  7. We have distributed a training video to the membership.
  8. We have lobbied the manufacturers for quieter leaf blowers.
  9. We offer to help solve public complaints by dealing with specific cases one on one. Since 1996 we have received 3 phone calls from the public complaining about leaf blowers. On two occasions we were able to solve the issue through direct communication. On one occasion the company that was being complained about was not a member of our association and was not willing to co-operate with our efforts.
  10. We hosted a leaf blower clinic in the summer where manufacturers displayed their newest quieter equipment. Member companies were encouraged to bring in their old blowers for decibel level checks.
  11. We have hosted education sessions at our annual conference.




We will continue to work on solving this issue through awareness and education programs.
Leaf Blowers are a useful time and labour saving tool which can be used without
unreasonably disrupting the public and the environment.





See also The Financial Impact of the Leaf Blower Ban

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