UCAIR is set to host its next Leaf Blower Exchange in Fall 2025.
Check back for more details as Fall approaches, including how to apply, event dates, and what to expect. This is a great opportunity to upgrade your equipment and help clear Utah’s air.
Why leaf blowers?
Did you know gas-powered yard tools, including 2-stroke leaf blowers, emit a staggering 8 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) daily along the Wasatch Front? That is more than the combined emissions from all five Salt Lake area oil refineries! In fact, using a gas-powered leaf blower for just one hour releases as much pollution as driving from Ogden, UT to Disneyland – a whopping 727 miles.
UCAIR is partnering with Union Pacific to tackle this pollution source head-on.
Over the past two years, the program exchanged 1000 gas-powered leaf blowers for cleaner, battery-powered models – making a direct positive impact on our local air quality.
Participants receive a zero-cost upgrade to their equipment while helping achieve UCAIR’s mission for better health, a better economy, and a better quality of life for Utahns!
Why participate?
Reduce Emissions
Battery-powered leaf blowers offer an emission-free lawn care experience, giving you all the power without the air pollution.
Breathe Easier
Avoid inhaling harmful emissions and protect the lungs of children, elderly and the vulnerable in your neighborhood.
No Cost to You
After recycling your gas-powered leaf blower, you will receive a brand-new, battery-powered leaf blower with a battery & charger at no cost to you!
Commuter
Commuter e-bikes are built for everyday comfort and are road-focused for navigating urban landscapes. They have a casual yet mildly active riding position which allows you to maintain control and efficiency without being in an aggressive seating position. As the name implies, these bikes are perfect for those looking to use an e-bike for their daily commute.
Need an option that transitions from paved paths to mountain trails? Some e-bikes in this category, like the Summit, are designed to transition well from a commuter bike during the week to a mountain bike on the weekend.
This program offers 5 eligible e-bike models in the commuter category:
- Pathfinder 500
- Pathfinder T
- Voyager
- Metro X
- Nomad
- Summit – Hybrid Commuter/Mountain E-Bike
Participating Metal Recyclers
Metro Group:
3150 W 900 S, Salt Lake City
Wasatch Metal Recycling:
205 W 3300 S, Salt Lake City
Redwood Recycling:
6235 S Redwood Road, Taylorsville
Outside of Salt Lake County:
Metro Recyclers:
555 W 12th St, Ogden
Valley Metal Recycling:
145 N 1000 W, Logan
The 2024 Leaf Blower Exchange will only be offered during the one-day Clear the Air Fair on September 7. 500 applicants will be randomly chosen to participate using a lottery system. If you are selected, you will be contacted with additional details on how to complete your exchange during the fair.
The Clear the Air Fair will be open to the public from 9 AM – 3 PM, offering educational booths, free resources, and giveaways.
No, the program is funded by a grant from Union Pacific, which covers the full cost of 500 new battery-powered leaf blowers for this year’s exchange.
The model offered through this program is the 615 CFM EGO POWER+ Blower, which comes with a 2.5 Ah ARC Lithium™ battery and a standard charger. Click here to learn more about this specific leaf blower.
Yes, you must remove the gas & oil from your gas-powered leaf blower for it to be accepted for recycling.
Used oil can be taken to auto shops such as AutoZone or O’Reilly. Please click here for a list of locations in Salt Lake County that accept used oil.
Leftover gas must be disposed of at a landfill or household hazardous waste location. Check your local health department for a nearby hazardous waste disposal site. More information about these programs can be found by clicking the links below:
- Salt Lake County
- Utah County
- Davis and Morgan County
- Weber County
- Summit County
- Other Counties: Check with your local health department
The program is limited to one exchange for each household.
No, we will accept gas-powered leaf blowers in any condition to be recycled and exchanged. By providing you with a new, battery-powered leaf blower, we are still equipping you with a cleaner tool moving forward!
The 2024 program will only be offered during the Clear the Air Fair, taking place on Saturday, September 7. 500 applicants will be randomly selected to participate. Those selected will be contacted by August 23 with details on how to participate that day.
The program is primarily intended to serve residential users. If you are a commercial lawn care company looking to exchange your gas-powered tools, you are eligible to participate in the Charge Your Yard Incentive Program offered by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. Click here for more details.
Your gas-powered leaf blower will be responsibly recycled at a participating metal recycling facility to ensure that it no longer contributes to air pollution. Please note that you will not receive payment for the value of your leaf blower scrap metal (approx. $0.16) from the recycling facility. This allows us to efficiently process the large number of leaf blowers received.
You can reach out to us at info@ucair.org, and our team will be happy to assist you.
The UCAIR Leaf Blower Exchange is sponsored by Union Pacific.
