Tom Marshall
Say No to Peat Compost
Bring on the Ban!
For centuries it was believed that peatlands were of no value unless drained or extracted from. Today, we know this is not true – so why are 80% of the UK’s peatlands still degraded? Peat extraction for gardening and growing directly contributes to the decline of our peatlands, with knock-on impacts for the interlinked nature and climate crises.
Campaign update: 2024
Progress on this issue is long overdue. The Wildlife Trusts welcome confirmation that from the end of 2024, hobby gardeners in England and Wales will no longer be able to buy bagged peat compost. Your support has helped to make this happen!
However, we are disappointed that the UK Government has not initiated the legislation to make this ban happen. With a General Election likely in 2024 this means we will have to wait for the next Government for action on this vital topic. This lack of action is at odds with this Government's manifesto commitment to ‘deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth’.
The Wildlife Trusts have been at the forefront of the fight to protect peatlands since the 1990s and are leading on peatland restoration projects across the UK. To date, Wildlife Trusts have restored over 120,000 football pitches worth of peatlands in England alone.
Community peat diggings, North Harris. Scotland. - Peter Cairns/2020VISION
As leaders in peatland restoration, The Wildlife Trusts will still be calling upon the UK Government to:
- End importing peat, which transfers emissions and damage to nature to other countries
- End the extraction of peat from peatlands in England
- Ban the sales of peat and peat containing products in professional markets – voluntary measures were simply not enough
- Restore all bogs damaged by the removal of peat by 2035
There is still work to do and your support is crucial. Here are some actions you can take to show that you love peatlands.
- Sign our peat-free pledge
- Start making your own compost
- Ask your local garden centre to stock peat-free compost and plug plants NOW!
Gardener's World
We still stand firm in our belief that peat belongs in bogs not bags, and this is exactly what Mark Blake, Somerset Wildlife Trust Senior Reserves Manager, said on Gardener's World last week when Arit from the program investigated what this ban means for the industry and gardeners alike (2023, episode 7). Catch up now on BBC iPlayer, and hear what Mark had to say.
Tom Marshall
Go peat free at home
Read our top tips
Peter Cairns/2020VISION
Why we need our peatlands
Find out more
Join the gardeners going peat free
Make the pledgePeatlands are vital wildlife habitats and it’s absolutely crucial that they remain intact to help us tackle climate change. The Government can ensure that these important carbon stores function as nature intended by banning peat sales now.Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts