The Financial Impact of the Leaf Blower Ban
The financial consequences of a leaf blower ban would affect many diverse constituents. The following is a brief summary of those who would be negatively impacted.
- The Horticultural Industry
The Horticulture industry utilizes leaf blowers as a labour saving and useful
tool for their grounds maintenance operations. Industry estimates suggest that
landscape firms can save up to 30% of their labour costs by using leaf blowers
in their routine maintenance. More than 1000 Landscape Companies operate in the
Toronto area. Each company employs an average of five people. If we assume that
each employee earns an average of $30,000 per year x 5,000 employees we are dealing
with an annual payroll of approximately $150,000,000.00. 30% of this is
$45,000,000.00.
Therefore, the impact of a leaf blower ban on the horticultural industry would be
approximately $45,000,000.00. This is on their entire operations including
residential, industrial, commercial and institutional accounts.
- The Paving Industry
The paving industry uses leaf blowers to prepare worn asphalt surfaces before
application of new asphalt. It is a useful and effective tool that is far more
efficient than sweeping. Considering the amount of asphalt renovation and
sealing that goes on both on municipal roads and private properties, the impact
on the paving industry could far exceed the financial impact on the
horticultural industry. For estimate purposes we can guess at a
$10,000,000.00 impact.
- Municipal and Nonprofit Institutions
Municipalities, cemeteries, parks systems, Ontario Hydro, Toronto District
School Board and all public institutions use leaf blowers as a labour saving
tool. The cost of maintaining these large-scale properties without the use of
leaf blowers is astronomical. Your own city staff can estimate the financial
impact for the Parks & Works Department. In fact the School Board just purchased
over 100 leaf blowers in 2001 and SkyDome uses leaf blowers for cleaning the
stands.
- Homeowner’s Utilizing Grounds Maintenance Services
More homeowners utilize grounds maintenance services and therefore approve the use of
leaf blowers on their property than the vocal minority attempting to ban their use.
A leaf blower ban would mean higher maintenance costs. It is estimated that costs
would have to go up at least $10,000.00 for this group.
- Homeowner’s Who Own Their Own Leaf Blower
The leaf blower has increased in popularity with the do-it-yourself homeowner.
Millions of dollars worth of leaf blowers are purchased each year. The financial
impact on this group is the cost of the leaf blowers and the increase in labour.
- Power Equipment Retailers
Power Blowers account for 15-35% of the total turnover of ECHO, Stihl, Poulan/Weedeater,
Homelite, Shindaiwa, and is made up from the sale of power blowers, power blower parts and related accessories. While there are others who manufacture power blowers, these five represent 90% of the Canadian power blower market. In total, there are in excess of 1500 retailers representing these product lines and a power blower ban would dramatically affect the viability of many of these independent businesses. In the greater Toronto area, this number of independent businesses involved in the retailing and servicing of power blowers would be in excess of 100.
- Manufacturers, Their Employees and Distributors
The design, manufacture, sales and distribution of leaf blowers contribute millions of
dollars to Canada’s economy. A ban on leaf blowers in the City of Toronto would affect
the entire production chain and would impact other communities in Ontario and Canada.
Again we are dealing with millions of dollars not to mention loss of livelihood for many
families.
- The Taxpayer
Leaf blowers save the taxpayer in Toronto thousands of dollars in reduced municipal
labour costs. The city would be in the best position to estimate the increased labour
costs for their parks and works departments.
This brief summary is a conservative and incomplete estimate on the financial
impact of a leaf blower ban and does not consider the astronomical cost of
enforcing a leaf blower ban.
Leaf blowers are a noisy but legal power tool. No one enjoys the noise generated
by leaf blowers. However with increased education, consideration and the
introduction of newer, quieter technologies the problem of leaf blower
noise can be minimized without considering a drastic, expensive and unenforceable
leaf blower ban.
See also City of Toronto’s proposed guidelines for leaf blower use
