Program Asks Residents to Put Away Mulchers, Blowers

The Environmental Commission's Rake for the Planet program urges residents to put up their lawn mowers and leaf blowers and use rakes for one day during this season's leaf cleanup.

By using a rake instead of tools powered by small engines, residents can avoid creating noise pollution, disturbing topsoil, mulch and other organic lawn and garden materials, and can cut down on the amount of toxic chemicals released into the air by mowers, blowers and mulchers.

“I was driving down Orange Avenue last year and saw a guy on a riding mower,” said David DesRochers, member of the Environmental Commission and creator of the Rake for the Planet program. “I think his yard was only about 30 by 50. And then I see the yard guys using blowers to get only five or so leaves on the street.”

Small non-road engines such as those used in mowers, mulchers and blowers release hydrocarbons, some of which have been known to cause cancer; nitrogen oxides, known to contribute to acid rain; carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas; and carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Rake for the Planet asks residents to substitute rakes for other tools when they prepare for their scheduled leaf pickup.

The commission believes that the benefits of using a rake for leaf cleanup can improve the quality of town, family and personal life.

Raking can help residents burn calories, set aside quality family time, and keep the town's peace and quiet intact during the fall months, said DesRochers, who thought up and pitched the one-of-a-kind program to the commission.

“I contacted the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions to see if they had heard of a similar program and they hadn't,” said Nelson Dittmar, chair of the Environmental Commission.

The commission drafted a resolution for consideration by the township committee. The resolution, which endorses the voluntary program, is expected to be discussed and decided on at the next town meeting on October 13, according correspondence between Deputy Mayor Mark Smith and Dittmar.

The commission agreed at Monday's meeting to move ahead with the program's promotion even if the township committee decides not to endorse it.