Peat Usage in horticultural practices
Case reference FOI2020/00104
Published 10 February 2020
Request
1. a) Does your local authority use peat in its horticultural practices? E.g. planting. b) If so, and if you are able to quantify, how much peat do you use a month (m3)? c) Do you use peat raw, as part of a mixed compost, or in another way?
2. a) Are any peat-free alternatives used instead? b) If so, which ones, and in what quantities?
3. a) Have any efforts been made to reduce the amount of peat used? b) If so, has this been a result of governmental policy/pressure, or other reasons? If other, please specify.
Response
Since 1997, Guildford Borough Council has not purchased any peat-based products for any of the following purposes;
- mulching beds and borders
- soil amelioration when planting
- propagation and potting compost
For the first two tasks, leaf mulch and Guildford Borough Council's in-house composts are used. For propagation and potting on, coir (coconut fibre)based products are successfully used. When ordering the seasonal bedding, hanging baskets and troughs, (approximately 15 cubic meters per year) a peat free mix is specified in the contract. We currently use Sylvamix.
Guildford Borough Council only needs to purchase shrubs and trees from external sources. It is this source that still contains some peat-based products. Approximately 80% of all purchased plant material is peat free, with the exception of ericaceous plants. We seek suppliers who can supply peat free plants wherever possible.
Peat is industrially mined from important wildlife areas, causing irreversible damage. This is the chief reason Guildford Borough Council wishes to phase out the use of peat.
Documents
This is Guildford Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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