Yes, the ritual of collecting leaves has begun ("Leaf removal provides compost," Oct. 21). What a noisy racket! Leaf blowers are among the most annoying of modern conveniences. They generate unwanted noise and air pollution from their inefficient motors. They blow up dust and fungal particles that may contribute to fall allergies. Most importantly in these budget-crunching times, they cost money to maintain and operate.

A simple solution exists that will create compost and reduce the need for leaf blowers: return the leaves to the soil with a lawn mower. Simply chopping up the leaves with the final clippings of the year will return them to the soil where they will decompose among the grass. This will reduce the need for leaf blowers, which will reduce expenses and unnecessary pollution. This practice improves lawns by increasing soil organic matter and structure and providing needed nitrogen. Therefore, less fertilizer would need to be applied to lawns the following year, thus saving the university and borough more money. Eliminating leaf blowers on campus is a measure that should be considered for the health and quiet of the community.