Zurich Residents to Decide Fate of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Amid Pollution Fears

Zurich Residents to Vote on Restricting Leaf Blowers Amid Pollution Concerns On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Zurich residents will cast their ballots in a referendum aimed at severely restricting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. The proposal, backed by city authorities, seeks to limit noise and dust pollution in the Swiss metropolis. If approved, the measure would ban gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums from Zurich's streets, replacing them with electric devices during the three-month period of October to December. However, special permissions would be required for their use outside this timeframe, granted only under exceptional circumstances. Supporters of the proposal argue that leaf blowers and leaf vacuums are a significant source of noise pollution, causing disturbance to residents and disrupting daily life. "We need to take action to reduce the impact of these devices on our environment," said Zurich Mayor, Ueli Maurer. "This measure is a step in the right direction towards creating a cleaner and quieter city." Critics of the proposal, however, claim that it will disproportionately affect small-scale gardening businesses and homeowners who rely on gas-powered leaf blowers for their work. "We understand the concerns about pollution, but this ban will have unintended consequences," said Ursula Koch, leader of the opposition party. "It's a knee-jerk reaction to a problem that can be solved through more targeted measures." The issue of leaf blower restrictions has been a contentious one in Zurich for several years. In 2020, the city council introduced a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in public spaces, but it was met with resistance from residents and business owners. Background research suggests that Switzerland is among the top countries in Europe in terms of noise pollution, with an estimated 30% of the population exposed to levels above the recommended limit. The use of leaf blowers and leaf vacuums has been identified as a significant contributor to this problem. The Zurich referendum has sparked debate across the country, with some experts arguing that a blanket ban on gas-powered devices is too extreme. "We need to find a balance between reducing pollution and respecting the needs of our citizens," said Dr. Martin Müller, an environmental scientist at the University of Zurich. As voting day approaches, residents are divided on the issue. While some see it as a necessary step towards creating a cleaner environment, others fear that it will have unintended consequences for local businesses and homeowners. The outcome of the referendum will be closely watched by authorities in other Swiss cities, who may consider similar measures to reduce noise pollution. Regardless of the result, one thing is clear: Zurich's residents are at the forefront of a national conversation about the impact of leaf blowers on our environment. *Reporting by Dw.*