Leaf Blower Banning Continues to Spread

MCHENRY, Ill. - Leaf blower banning continues to spread across the states and even into Canada, according to information gathered by International Marketing Exchange (IME), an Illinois-based company working on behalf of Echo Manufacturing.

Cities currently moving gas-powered leaf blower bans or restrictions through their legislature include Phoenix, Boulder, Colo., and Vancouver, Canada. Blowers are powerful tools that enable landscapers to do their jobs better and increase productivity, but proponents of ban efforts cite noise and pollution as the most powerful reasons why use of the machines should be restricted.

Is creating a quiet, electric leaf blower the answer? "A quiet, electrically-powered leaf blower isn't a practical idea," said Robin Pendergrast of IME. "[Landscape Contractors] can't be running around with extension cords, generators, etc. Echo has two prototypes that could potentially be electric blowers. But when you have 55% market share, you're a bit reticent about making changes [to your product line]."

Pendergrast noted that while electric-powered blowers may be impractical, Echo will soon reveal its prototype for a "quiet" gas-powered leaf blower. Watch the LCM news pages for updates on this exciting product innovation.

For more info on the leaf blower banning situation, contact International Marketing Exchange at (815) 363-0933.