News Flash

At the most recent Council meeting, the EC highlighted successes in 2025 in support of sustainability, conservation, and environmental education in UPT.

Imagine taking a walk down the tree-lined streets of our town. Perhaps you are with a friend, walking a child to school, enjoying time with a pet, or simply taking a moment for yourself. Often, you will hear them before you see them: gas-powered leaf blowers. When used on multiple properties at the same time, their noise, dust, and exhaust can be difficult to avoid.

While leaf blowers are a common part of landscape maintenance, a growing body of research suggests that gas-powered models can have broader impacts worth considering, including effects on personal health, neighborhood well-being, and the environment.

Health and Environmental Considerations

In recent years, studies have drawn attention to emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers (GPLBs), particularly those that use two-stroke engines. These engines are widely used in lawn equipment but are less efficient than many newer alternatives.

Research has found the following:

In 2011, engineers at Edmunds estimated that operating a two-stroke gas-powered leaf blower for 30 minutes could emit pollution comparable to driving a Ford F-150 Raptor from Texas to Alaska. (2)

The strong airflow produced by GPLBs can stir up fine particles such as dust, mold, leaf litter, yard chemicals, and animal waste. Once airborne, these particles may aggravate asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. (3)

Depending on weather conditions, disturbed pollutants can linger in the air for hours or even days. (4)

Nearly all leaf blowers and line trimmers use two-stroke gasoline engines, which emit higher levels of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). (5)

Up to 30 percent of the fuel mixture in two-stroke engines may be incompletely burned and released into the atmosphere. Incomplete combustion also produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, both of which contribute to climate change. (6)

Fine particulates and aerosolized VOCs are linked to respiratory illness and are of particular concern for children. (7)

Pollution from fine particulates contributes to millions of premature deaths worldwide each year and is associated with a range of health issues, including cancer, reproductive harm, and mental health impacts. (1)

In 2020, lawn and garden equipment in the United States emitted more than 21,800 tons of fine particulate pollution, an amount comparable to emissions from approximately 234 million typical cars. (1)

Noise Impacts

Noise is another commonly cited concern associated with gas-powered leaf blowers. The World Health Organization recommends daytime noise levels below 55 decibels (dB). A worker operating a gas-powered leaf blower may be exposed to noise levels of 90 to 100 dB.

Because of their pitch and low-frequency sound, leaf blower noise can travel long distances and penetrate walls and windows. A single leaf blower may impact multiple neighboring properties, even at distances of several hundred feet. (9)

Research has linked prolonged or repeated exposure to high noise levels with:

Increased stress hormone levels (3)

Sleep disruption (7)

Hearing loss (7)

Reduced academic performance in children, with more than 20 studies showing that noise can negatively affect learning outcomes (9)

Children are especially vulnerable to long-term hearing damage and tinnitus resulting from repeated noise exposure. (10)

Unprotected exposure to noise levels above 65 dB has been shown to increase blood pressure, elevate adrenaline levels, and damage hearing. (10)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that noise can degrade quality of life by impairing communication and social interaction, reducing work accuracy, and creating stress and frustration that may persist even after the noise has stopped. (11)

Practical, Lower-Impact Alternatives

Many communities are exploring ways to reduce these impacts while still maintaining safe and attractive outdoor spaces.

Leave the leaves where possible. In garden beds and around trees, taking care not to pile leaves directly against trunks, fallen leaves provide valuable nutrients for soil and create habitat for pollinators such as butterflies, moths, and fireflies. On sidewalks and walkways where leaves may pose a hazard, leaves can be raked and relocated rather than blown. (12)

Consider electric options. Plug-in and battery-powered electric leaf blowers are now widely available, effective, and significantly quieter than gas-powered models. They also produce no on-site exhaust emissions. (7)

Ask landscaping providers about their equipment. Many companies already offer electric alternatives, and customer preferences can help encourage broader adoption of cleaner, quieter tools.

Moving Forward Together

Thoughtful choices by homeowners, renters, and landscaping professionals can help balance property maintenance with shared community health and comfort. As technology continues to improve, quieter and cleaner equipment makes it easier to care for outdoor spaces while reducing impacts on neighbors and the environment.

Sources

1.  Lawn Care Goes Electric 
2.  Leaf Blower’s Emissions Dirtier than High-Performance Pick-Up Trucks, Edmunds 
3.  Leaf Blowers Leave Lungs Vulnerable, Respiratory Health Association 
4.  The Unintended Consequences of Leaf Blowers 
5.  Air Pollution: Asia’s Two-Stroke Engine Dilemma 
6.  It’s Time to Ditch Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers, Moms Clean Air Force 
7.  Volatile Organic Compounds in the Home, American Lung Association 
8.  Occupational Hazards Landscape Professionals Need to Watch For 
9.  Does Noise Affect Learning? A Review on Cognitive Performance in Children 
10.  Gasoline Engine Leaf Blower Health Hazards and Environmental Harm 
11.  Noise: A Health Problem, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
12.  This Fall, Leave the Leaves, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Additional Resources

1. Citizens for a Quieter Sacramento
2.  Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, University of Pennsylvania 
3.  Quiet Clean Philly 

Upper Providence Township Council approved a new ordinance that prohibits the use of single-use plastics and polystyrene (i.e., Styrofoam) products across the Township on July 8, 2025. This initiative aligns with similar efforts already adopted in 40 other Pennsylvania municipalities, including Media Borough, Nether Providence, Haverford, Swarthmore, and Radnor.Single-use Ordinance 563

Key Provisions of the Ordinance

Implementation: January 1, 2026Application: Customer transactions at retail establishments (not nonprofits)

• Ban on single-use plastic bags 
• Ban on non-recycled paper bags (less than 40% post-consumer recycled material)
• Single-use plastic utensils ban (straws allowed for disabilities)
• Ban on expanded polystyrene food service products (e.g., Styrofoam)

Approved Alternatives

Fees must be itemized on customer receipts.

• Recycled paper bags (at least 40% post-consumer recycled content): $0.15 minimum charge per bag
• Reusable bags: $0.25 minimum charge per bag

Notification Requirement

Township-provided signage at all points of sale.

Enforcement and Penalties

• First Violation: $50
• Second Violation: $100
• Third and Subsequent Violations: $300 per incident

Each day of non-compliance is a separate violation. Additional legal action may be pursued for repeated non-compliance.

Ordinance Explanation

Ordinance Key Dates

• January–March 2025, Public Discussions: UPT Environmental Commission holds various public meetings on topic.
• March 20, 2025, Proposed Ordinance: UPT Environmental Commission votes to advise council to adopt ordinance.
• April 8, 2025, Ordinance Announcement: UPT Township Council announce proposed ordinance.
• April 15, 2025, Mailing:  UPT businesses informed of proposed ordinance by mail.
• May 15, 2025, Information Session: UPT Environmental Commission held information session with the public.
• June 10, 2025, First Reading of Ordinance 
• July 8, 2025, Ordinance Adoption: UPT Township Council voted to adopt the ordinance.
• July 15, 2025, Effective Date: The ordinance becomes effective.
• July 30, 2025–April 20, 2026, Temporary Signage: UPT businesses required to display temporary signage.
• January 1, 2026, Ban in Effect: The ban and enforcement takes effect.

Now that the leaves have (mostly) fallen from the branches, you may notice how easy it is to spot English Ivy growing up the trees throughout the township. Have you spotted the shaggy green tree trunks in your yard?

English ivy is an invasive species which may start as a groundcover, but can grow up your tree trunks, ultimately killing trees and shrubs by stealing nutrients, as well as strangling growth and adding significant weight to trees which can increase damage during storms, or cause trees to fall under the weight. If ivy is left unchecked, it will eventually kill your trees. Luckily, this is the perfect time of year to spot it. If you have a large amount of English Ivy in your yard, prioritize removing it from your trees first.Because ivy gets its nutrients from the soil at the base of the tree, cutting the vines all the way around the trunk will starve the ivy growing on the tree bark above. Wear gloves and long sleeves during removal - some people experience contact dermatitis or allergic reactions to English Ivy. If you have sensitive skin, consider hiring a tree service or arborist to help. Using hand pruners, cut all of the ivy vines around the bark a few inches above the ground, and again at chest height, being careful not to damage the tree bark. It's best to clear any ivy at least six feet around the base of the tree if you are able. Dead ivy vines will still cling to the bark after being girdled, but as the tree grows, the ivy will slough off. (An alternative to waiting for it to fall off is to have an arborist pull the ivy from the bark.)

The Upper Providence Township Environmental Commission celebrated Community Day in September, with a display that included a monarch butterfly chrysalis and a polyphemus moth cocoon. The monarch that you saw on Community Day has since hatched and is part of the group of monarchs that migrate south!

The Environmental Commission also had a successful tree giveaway - with a hundred Eastern Redbud and Pawpaws going to new homes across the township.

Leave the leaves does not mean ignoring them and leaving them where they fell. You can move them to places in your yard where they are out of the way, will not kill your turf, and will still help wildlife. A thin layer of leaves can actually help turf—but too much will kill the grass. Consider raking leaves into areas around trees, or use them as winter mulch for perennials or to cover garden beds.Another reason to leave the leaves is for the benefits they provide to your landscape. They help build healthy soil for your plants and have the same weed suppression and moisture retention as shredded wood mulch - and they're free!One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the winter cover they need. Leaves are not litter - they're food and shelter for butterflies, bees, beetles, moths, and more.

You may have heard that the Upper Providence Environmental Commission, in conjunction with local residents and partners, have planted over 5,200 trees this year around the Township! Earlier in the year, the Commission applied for and received a grant from Keystone 10 Million Trees, which provided the trees, critter guards, stakes, and shipping at no cost to the Township. Many of these trees can be seen gracing Ridley Creek and Scott Parks, where we have also recently replanted trees to repair the riparian buffer.

Interested in composting? Attend our September meeting to learn more about composting and local composting services in Upper Providence. Meetings held the third Thursday of every month.The Upper Providence Environmental Commission will have an information booth at Community Day September 17th. Come chat with us about our ongoing projects to improve the township, how you can get involved - and pick up a free potted tree seedling to take home and plant!

The Upper Providence Township Environmental Commission received a grant from Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership this spring and is working with residents and local partners to plant over 5,000 trees in and around Upper Providence Township! Reach out to get involved with planting, or to find out more about how you can get free tree and shrub seedlings for your home. 

At our first tree giveaway in early April, Upper Providence residents took home nearly 600 bare root seedlings to plant at their homes - stay tuned for our second tree seedling giveaway coming up soon.

Working with our community neighbors, we've planted 2,000 trees so far in April. Thank you to our residents, Ridley Creek State Park, the Scouts, Penn State Master Watershed Stewards, the Rose Valley EAC, and Keep Media Green. If you are part of a local organization interested in planting trees, please send a message to the Environmental Commission at www.upperprovidence.org. 

Video- Upper Providence Township Environmental Commission member Sarah Egan explains the tree giveaway.Video- Kristen Kozlowski Giambra demonstrates proper installation of tree deer guards to protect your new tree from unwanted guests. 

The Upper Providence Township Environmental Commission will be distributing FREE TREES starting in April!  

On April 2nd, the Upper Providence Township Environmental Commission will be giving away tree seedlings to residents who plant the trees on their properties. 

From 10am-2pm at Louis W Scott Park off Ridley Creek Road. Walk-Ups welcome. Interested residents should email TCS@FriendsofUP.org to reserve your selection. Please include your name, address, and number of trees requested. 

A wide variety of saplings will be available. Please see the attached flyer for more details. 

Stay tuned – Additional information and other tree pick-up locations will be included in the April newsletter and posted on the Upper Providence Township website in the very near future.

If you’ve been wondering what the heck the wooden box at the Township building was – worry no more. The Environmental Commission received a grant last year to build and install a rain overflow planter. These planters help mitigate runoff and relieve pressure on storm drains while contributing to the aesthetic of the building.

Hardy plants were generously donated by Wolff’s Nursery and the project was completed with the assistance of numerous volunteers from the Township. It will be maintained by the EC.

The Environmental Commission meets on the third Thursday of every month. Public comments and suggestions are welcome. Interested parties should contact Trevor Serine at tcs@friendsofup.org.

Recently, the UP Environmental Commission, in conjunction with the Penn State Master Watershed Stewards, re-planted a riparian buffer and planted trees in Scotts Park. Over 100 trees, staked out with deer protectors, were planted. These understory trees will help mitigate future erosion and help support the local wildlife and promote a healthy watershed. We were there to contribute!

The trees were generously provided by the Commonwealth via its Ten Million Tree Initiative. The EC also has occasional access to bare root saplings for township residents at no cost; persons interested should reach out.